I was so shocked I could not maintain my resolution:
I said, 'Oh, Mr. Edward, what are you doing?' He blushed a little, but
told me he was going to sell some candlesticks and things of his making:
and he should get a better price in that dress; all traders looked on a
_gentleman_ as a thing made to be pillaged. Then he told me he was going
to turn them into a bonnet and a wreath; and his beautiful brown eyes
sparkled with affection. What egotistical creatures _they_ must be! I was
quite overcome, and said, Oh why did he refuse our offer? Did he hate me
so very much that he would not even take his due from my hand? 'No,' he
said, 'nobody in our house is so unjust to you as to hate you; my sister
honours you, and is very sorry you think ill of her: and, as for me, I
love you; you know how I love you.' I hid my face in my hands; and sobbed
out, 'Oh, you must not; you must not; my poor father has one disobedient
child already.' He said softly, 'Don't cry, dear one; have a little
patience; perhaps the clouds will clear: and, meantime, why think so ill
of us? Consider, we are four in number, of different dispositious, yet
all of one mind about Julia marrying Alfred.
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