add to all the presumptions of intimacy. People would accept such a conclusion as inevitable."
"Among all your reasons you don't mention the young lady's attractions," said Mary Gosselin.
Firminger stared a moment, his clear eye lighted by his happy thought. "I don't mention the young man's. They would be so obvious, on one side and the other, as to be taken for granted."
"And is it your idea that one should pretend to be engaged to you all one's life?"
"Oh no; simply till I should have had time to look round. I'm determined not to be hustled and bewildered into matrimony—to be dragged to the shambles before I know where I am. With such an arrangement as the one I speak of I should be able to take my time, to keep my head, to make my choice."
"And how would the young lady make hers?"
"How do you mean, hers?"
"The selfishness of men is something exquisite. Suppose the young lady—if it's
