With more freedom than he had ever used before, Mr. Carson put his
arm firmly round Mary's waist, in spite of her indignant resistance.
"Nay, nay! you little witch! Now I have caught you, I shall keep
you prisoner. Tell me now what has made you run away from me so
fast these few days--tell me, you sweet little coquette!"
Mary ceased struggling, but turned so as to be almost opposite to
him, while she spoke out calmly and boldly--
"Mr. Carson! I want to speak to you for once and for all. Since I
met you last Monday evening, I have made up my mind to have nothing
more to do with you. I know I've been wrong in leading you to think
I liked you; but I believe I didn't rightly know my own mind; and I
humbly beg your pardon, sir, if I've led you to think too much of
me."
For an instant he was surprised; the next, vanity came to his aid,
and convinced him that she could only be joking. He, young,
agreeable, rich, handsome! No! she was only showing a little
womanly fondness for coquetting.
"You're a darling little rascal to go on in this way! 'Humbly
begging my pardon if you've made me think too much of you.
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