en; secondly, he is narrow-minded and bigoted
in the extreme; thirdly, his tastes and feelings are wholly dissimilar to
mine; fourthly, his looks, voice, and manner are particularly displeasing
to me; and, finally, I have an aversion to his whole person that I never
can surmount.'

'Then you ought to surmount it. And please to compare him for a moment
with Mr. Huntingdon, and, good looks apart (which contribute nothing to
the merit of the man, or to the happiness of married life, and which you
have so often professed to hold in light esteem), tell me which is the
better man.'

'I have no doubt Mr. Huntingdon is a much better man than you think him;
but we are not talking about him now, but about Mr. Boarham; and as I
would rather grow, live, and die in single blessedness--than be his wife,
it is but right that I should tell him so at once, and put him out of
suspense--so let me go.'

'But don't give him a flat denial; he has no idea of such a thing, and it
would offend him greatly: say you have no thoughts of matrimony at
present--'

'But I have thoughts of it.'

'Or that you desire a further acquaintance.'

'But I don't desire a further acquaintance--quite the contrary.'

And without waiting for further admonitions I left the room and went to
seek Mr. Boarham. He was walking up and down the drawing-room, humming
snatches of tunes and nibbling the end of his cane.

'My dear young lady,' said he, bowing and smirking with great
complacency, 'I have your kind guardian's permission--'

'I know, sir,' said I, wishing to shorten the scene as much as possible,
'and I am greatly obliged for your preference, but must beg to decline
the honour you wish to confer, for I think we were not made for each
other, as you yourself would shortly discover if the experiment were
tried.'

My aunt was right. It was quite evident he had had little doubt of my
acceptance, and no idea of a positive denial. He was amazed, astounded
at such an answer, but too incredulous to be much offended; and after a
little humming and hawing, he returned to the attack.

'I know, my dear, that there exists a considerable disparity between us
in years, in temperament, and perhaps some other things; but let me
assure you, I shall not be severe to mark the faults and foibles of a
young and ardent nature such as yours, and while I acknowledge them to
myself, and even rebuke them with all a father's care, believe me, no
youthful lover could be more