"In short," he retorted, bitterly, "you think you will pick up some
swell here who will be a better bargain than I am."

"Wallace! How dare you?"

"You hurt my feelings, Alice, and I speak out. I know how to behave
myself quite as well as those who have the entree here; but when my
entire happiness is at stake I do not stand on punctilio. Therefore,
I insist on a straightforward answer to my fair, honorable
proposal."

"Wallace," said Alice, with dignity; "I will not be forced into
giving an answer against my will. I regard you as a cousin."

"I do not wish to be regarded as a cousin. Have I ever regarded you
as a cousin?"

"And do you suppose, Wallace, that I should permit you to call me by
my Christian name, and be as familiar as we have always been
together, if you were not my cousin? If so, you must have a very
strange opinion of me."

"I did not think that luxury could so corrupt--"

"You said that before," said Alice, pettishly. "Do not keep
repeating the same thing over and over; you know it is one of your
bad habits. Will you stay to lunch? Miss Carew told me to ask you."

"Indeed! Miss Carew is very kind. Please inform her that I am deeply
honored, and that I feel quite disturbed at being unable to accept