rather than frighten the woman I love, I would lie fifty fathom deep any day in any sea!"
"And, if I did not think the woman I loved could not take me 'to have and to hold, for better and worse, in sickness and in health,' I would not marry her for the wide world. You have often said I am too fastidious, too solicitous—that my desire to be decidedly, exclusively preferred, is as much the result of my vanity as my timidity; it may be so, but I declare to you solemnly, Arthur, I would desire no better test of a woman's regard than that presented by your present appearance, although it is by no means what you apprehend it to be. You are quite a stout gentleman to what you were last week, and, when your collar is properly adjusted, your hair brushed, and your wrapping gown, or even your frock coat does devoir aright, make a very tolerable appearance."
Arthur thought for a very long time, took a glance at himself in the looking-glass, said "it wouldn't do," and sat down again. Once he said, with great emotion, "You wouldn't deceive me, I know, Meersbrook;" but, in so saying, the melancholy, even ghastly, expression his face assumed, rendered his brother infected by his fears, and he said, "We will suffer a few days to pass before you see Georgiana; but I trust you will admit our worthy friend Palmer as soon as he awakes?"
