'Oh, I'm not joking; I owe you a present, and I'll give you that.'
'And if you do, I'll tell you what I'll do with it. I'll cut it into fragments, and burn them before your face. Why, uncle, what do you take me for? You're not a bit nice to-night to make such an offer as that to me; not a bit, not a bit.' And then she came over from her seat at the tea-tray and sat down on a foot-stool close at his knee. 'Because I'd have a French bonnet if I had a large fortune, is that a reason why I should like one now? If you were to pay four pounds for a bonnet for me, it would scorch my head every time I put it on.'
'I don't see that: four pounds would not ruin me. However, I don't think you'd look a bit better if you had it; and, certainly, I should not like to scorch these locks,' and putting his hand upon her shoulders, he played with her hair.
'Patience has a pony-phaeton, and I'd have one if I were rich, and I'd have all my books bound as she does; and, perhaps, I'd give fifty guineas for a dressing-case.'
'Fifty guineas!'
'Patience did not tell me; but so Beatrice says. Patience showed it to me once, and it is a darling. I think I'd have the dressing-case before the bonnet. But, uncle—'
'Well?'
'You don't suppose I want such things?'
'Not improperly. I am sure you do not.'
'Not properly, or improperly; not much, or little. I covet many things; but nothing of that sort. You know, or should know, that I do not. Why did you talk of buying a French bonnet for me?'
Dr. Thorne did not answer this question, but went on nursing his leg.
'After all,' said he, 'money is a fine thing.'
'Very fine, when it is well come by,' she answered; 'that is, without detriment to the heart or soul.'
'I should be a happier man if you were provided for as is Miss Oriel. Suppose, now, I could give you up to a rich man who would be able to insure you against all wants?'
'Insure me against all wants! Oh, that would be a man. That would be selling me, wouldn't it, uncle? Yes, selling me; and the price you would receive would be freedom from future apprehensions as regards me. It would be a cowardly sale for you to make; and then, as to me—me the victim. No, uncle; you must bear the misery of having to provide for me—bonnets and all. We are in the same boat, and you shan't turn me overboard.'
