“I　was　thinking；　sir　（you　will　excuse　the　idea；　it　was　involuntary）；　I　was　thinking　of　Hercules　and　Samson　with　their　charmers—”

“You　were；　you　little　elfish—”

“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：　you　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will　remand　the　order　I　despatched　to　my　banker。　But　you　have　not　yet　asked　for　anything；　you　have　prayed　a　gift　to　be　withdrawn：　try　again。”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　t