CHAPTER XXIV 331
" Hush, sir! You don ' t talk very wisely just now; any more than those gentlemen acted very wisely. However, had they been married, they would no doubt by their severity as husbands have made up for their softness as suitors; and so will you, I fear. I wonder how you will answer me a year hence, should I ask a favour it does not suit your convenience or pleasure to grant."
" Ask me something now, Jane,-- the least thing: I desire to be entreated-- " " Indeed I will, sir; I have my petition all ready."
" Speak! But if you look up and smile with that countenance, I shall swear concession before I know to what, and that will make a fool of me."
" Not at all, sir; I ask only this: don ' t send for the jewels, and don ' t crown me with roses: you might as well put a border of gold lace round that plain pocket handkerchief you have there."
" I might as well ' gild refined gold.' I know it: your request is granted then-- for the time. I will remand the order I despatched to my banker. But you have not yet asked for anything; you have prayed a gift to be withdrawn: try again."
" Well then, sir, have the goodness to gratify my curiosity, which is much piqued on one point."
He looked disturbed. " What? what?" he said hastily. " Curiosity is a dangerous petition: it is well I have not taken a vow to accord every request-- "
" But there can be no danger in complying with this, sir."
" Utter it, Jane: but I wish that instead of a mere inquiry into, perhaps, a secret, it was a wish for half my estate."