Bottles turned pale. "The thing is impossible," he said.

"That is not the question. Would you still believe in her, and would you
still marry her?"

"Great heavens! no."

"Good. Then I tell you what I will do for you, and it will perhaps
give you some idea of how deeply I feel in the matter; I will sacrifice
myself."

"Sacrifice yourself?"

"Yes. I mean that I will this very evening propose to Madeline Croston
under your nose, and I bet you five pounds she accepts me."

"Impossible," said Bottles again. "Besides, if she did you don't want to
marry her."

"Marry her! No, indeed. _I_ am not mad. I shall have to get out of the
scrape as best I can--always supposing my view of the lady is correct."

"Excuse me," said Bottles with a gasp, "but I must ask you--in short,
have _you_ ever been on affectionate terms with Madeline?"

"Never, on my honour."

"And yet you think she will marry you if you ask her, even after what
took place with me yesterday?"