But his asking
her is a contingency only?"
"Yes, that's all."
The philosopher spread out his hands.
"My dear young lady," he said, "it becomes a question of
degree. How probable or improbable is it?"
"I don't know. Not very probable--unless--unless----"
"Well?"
"Unless he did happen to notice, you know."
"Ah, yes. We supposed that, if he thought of it, he would
probably take the desired step--at least that he might be led to
do so. Could she not--er--indicate her preference?"
"She might try--no, she couldn't do much. You see, he--he
doesn't think about such things."
"I understand precisely. And it seems to me, Miss May, that in
that very fact we find our solution."
"Do we?" she asked.
"I think so. He has evidently no natural inclination toward
her--perhaps not toward marriage at all. Any feeling aroused in
him would be necessarily shallow and in a measure artificial--and
in all likelihood purely temporary. Moreover, if she took steps
to arouse his attention, one of two things would be likely
to happen. Are you following me?"
"Yes, Mr. Jerningham."
"Either he would be repelled by her overtures--which you must
admit is not improbable--and then the position would be
unpleasant, and even degrading, for her. Or, on the other hand,
he might, through a misplaced feeling of gallantry----"
"Through what?"
"Through a mistaken idea of politeness, or a mistaken view of
what was kind, allow himself to be drawn into a connection for
which he had no genuine liking.
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