human
Well, my dear, I don't blame your feeling, though it is a little overstrained, perhaps. But you have it in your own power to more than pay back all Mrs. Dobbs has done for you.
gpt
How?
human
Why, I am sure Mr. Bragg would be only too delighted----
gpt
Oh, Mr. Bragg! I was not thinking of Mr. Bragg, and I would rather not talk of him just now.
human
Excuse me, May, but you must think of him, and talk of him also. That was the subject I sent for you to speak about. I don't know how we have drifted away from it. Your aunt tells me that you have not actually refused Mr. Bragg, but merely stopped him from proposing to you. Now, if that is the case, the matter is not past mending. No doubt Mr. Bragg may feel a little offended.
gpt
He is not in the least offended,
human
Ah! Well, so much the better. But you can hardly expect me to believe that he particularly enjoyed the interview! Mr. Bragg is a person of a great deal of importance in the world, and not accustomed to be treated as if he were of no consequence. However, proceeded Mr. Dormer-Smith, relaxing into a milder tone,
gpt
I dare say he can make allowances for a young lady taken by surprise--it seems you did not expect his proposal?
human
Expect it! How on earth could I have expected it?
gpt
Some girls would. However, let us stick to the point. I don't think it is too late for you to make everything well again.
human
Uncle Frederick, I am bound to assure you most positively that I can never marry Mr. Bragg.
gpt
Now, don't be obstinate, May. What is your objection to him?
human
How can I say, Uncle Frederick? One does not marry a man simply because one has no particular objection to him. Mr. Bragg is old enough to be my grandfather!
gpt
No; scarcely that. Look here, May, I have a great affection for you. You have been very good and kind to my little boys, and they doat on you. I am not ungrateful for all you have done for the children, although I may not have said much about it.
human
And _I_ am not ungrateful, Uncle Frederick. I know you mean well by me, and Aunt Pauline, too.
gpt
Certainly we do. Naturally so! Well now, just listen to me, my dear. If you were my own daughter I should give you just the same advice. I should be very glad and thankful for a daughter of mine to marry Mr. Bragg. I know a great deal more of the world than you do--or ever will, please God!--for it isn't a very pleasant kind of knowledge--and I tell you honestly, there are very few men, young or old, in the society we frequent, whom I'd choose for your husband rather than Mr. Bragg. He is a little uneducated, and unpolished, of course. We needn't pretend not to know that. But he is a man of sound heart and sound principles--a man whose private life will bear looking into. I'm talking to you as if I really were your father, May; and I do assure you that I would not urge you to marry a man twice as rich as he is, if I knew him to be--to be what some men are, and what you in your innocence have no idea of. I want you to believe that, May.
human
I do believe it, Uncle Frederick,
gpt
There, there, my dear, don't cry! I couldn't talk in this way to many girls of your age; but you have so much sense and right feeling! I wanted you to understand that I'm not an altogether hard, worldly kind of man, ready to offer you up to Mammon--eh? Look here, May; I would stand by you against--against every one, if I thought you were going to be sacrificed. But you must trust a little to the experience of those older than yourself, my dear. Come, come, there now, don't distress yourself! You are not to be pressed and hurried, you know. You will think it all over quietly. Go to your own room and lie down a while. I will take care that you are not disturbed or worried in any way.