What are
yours? A very handsome face and figure, and a very good manner.
They are excellent as far as they go, but they don't go far enough."
"There is one thing you should add to them," said Morris; "the word
of a gentleman!"
"The word of a gentleman that you will always love Catherine? You
must be a very fine gentleman to be sure of that."
"The word of a gentleman that I am not mercenary; that my affection
for Miss Sloper is as pure and disinterested a sentiment as was ever
lodged in a human breast! I care no more for her fortune than for
the ashes in that grate."
"I take note--I take note," said the Doctor. "But having done so, I
turn to our category again. Even with that solemn vow on your lips,
you take your place in it. There is nothing against you but an
accident, if you will; but with my thirty years' medical practice, I
have seen that accidents may have far-reaching consequences."
Morris smoothed his hat--it was already remarkably glossy--and
continued to display a self-control which, as the Doctor was obliged
to admit, was extremely creditable to him. But his disappointment
was evidently keen.
"Is there nothing I can do to make you believe in me?"
"If there were I should be sorry to suggest it, for--don't you see?--
I don't want to believe in you!" said the Doctor, smiling.
"I would go and dig in the fields."
"That would be foolish.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102