"How then?"

"By saying, 'No, I thank you.' You can easily learn how very effectual
such a quiet negative is, if you choose."

"Indeed! Am I such a very undesirable party?" said Graham, laughing,
for he heartily enjoyed his aunt's brusque way of talking, having
learned already the kindliness it masked.

"Not in my eyes. I can't speak for Grace. She'd marry you if she loved
you, and were you the Czar of all the Russias you wouldn't have the
ghost of a chance unless she did. I know that she has refused more
than one fortune. She seems perfectly content to live with her father,
until the one prince having the power to awaken her appears. When he
comes rest assured she'll follow him, and also be assured that she'll
take her father with her, and to a selfish, exacting Turk of a husband
he might prove an old man of the sea. And yet I doubt it. Grace would
manage any one. Not that she has much management either. She simply
laughs, smiles, and talks every one into good humor. Her mirthfulness,
her own happiness, is so genuine that it is contagious. Suppose you
exchange duties and ask her to come over and enliven me while you
entertain her father," concluded the old lady mischievously.

"I would not dare to face such a fiery veteran as you have described
alone."

"I knew you would have some excuse. Well, be on your guard. Grace will
make no effort to capture you, and therefore you will be in all the
more danger of being captured. If you lose your heart in vain to her
you will need more than German philosophy to sustain you."