"Well, well--I go farther in my prophecy. Allow me to suppose you
successful in your suit, which I fancy can never be the case--"

"Why, sir, why?"

"Because she is not the girl for you; or rather, she does not think
you the man for her!"

"But why do you think so, sir?"

"Because I know you both. There are circumstances of discrepancy
between you which will prevent it, and even were you to be successful
in your suit, which I am very sure will never be the case, you
would be the most miserably-matched couple under the sun."

"Oh, sir, do not say so--do not. I can not think so, sir."

"You WILL not think so, I am certain. I am equally certain from
what I know of you both, that you are secure from any such danger.
It is not my object to pursue this reference, but let me ask you,
William, looking at things in the most favorable light, has Margaret
Cooper ever given you any encouragement?"

"I can not say that she has, sir, but--"

"Nay, has she not positively discouraged you? Does she not avoid
you--treat you coldly when you meet--say little, and that little
of a kind to denote--I will not say dislike--but pride, rather than
love?"