DORA. Poor blind Father's little guide, Milly, who came to us three years after you were gone, how should she know you? But now that you have been brought to us as it were from the grave, dearest Eva, and have been here so long, will you not speak with Father today? EVA. Do you think that I may? No, not yet. I am not equal to it yet. DORA. Why? Do you still suffer from your fall in the hollow lane? EVA. Bruised; but no bones broken. DORA. I have always told Father that the huge old ashtree there would cause an accident some day; but he would never cut it down, because one of the Steers had planted it there in former times. EVA. If it had killed one of the Steers there the other day, it might have been better for her, for him, and for you. DORA. Come, come, keep a good heart! Better for me! That's good. How better for me? EVA. You tell me you have a lover. Will he not fly from you if he learn the story of my shame and that I am still living? DORA. No; I am sure that when we are married he will be willing that you and Father should live with us; for, indeed, he tells me that he met you once in the old times, and was much taken with you, my dear. EVA. Taken with me; who was he? Have you told him I am here? DORA. No; do you wish it? EVA. See, Dora; you yourself are ashamed of me (_weeps_), and I do not wonder at it. DORA. But I should wonder at myself if it were so. Have we not been all in all to one another from the time when we first peeped into the bird's nest, waded in the brook, ran after the butterflies, and prattled to each other that we would marry fine gentlemen, and played at being fine ladies? EVA. That last was my Father's fault, poor man. And this lover of yours-- this Mr. Harold--is a gentleman? DORA. That he is, from head to foot. I do believe I lost my heart to him the very first time we met, and I love him so much-- EVA. Poor Dora! DORA. That I dare not tell him how much I love him. EVA. Better not. Has he offered you marriage, this gentleman? DORA Could I love him else? EVA. And are you quite sure that after marriage this gentleman will not be shamed of his poor farmer's daughter among the ladies in his drawing-room? DORA. Shamed of me in a drawing-room! Wasn't Miss Vavasour, our schoolmistress at Littlechester, a lady born? Were not our fellow-pupils all ladies? Wasn't dear mother herself at least by one side a lady? Can't I speak like a lady; pen a letter like a lady; talk a little French like a lady; play a little like a lady? Can't a girl when she loves her husband, and he her, make herself anything he wishes her to be? Shamed of me in a drawing-room, indeed! See here! 'I hope your Lordship is quite recovered of your gout?' (_Curtsies_.) 'Will your Ladyship ride to cover to-day? (_Curtsies_.) I can recommend our Voltigeur.' 'I am sorry that we could not attend your Grace's party on the 10th!' (_Curtsies_.) There, I am glad my nonsense has made you smile!