"Yes, yes, I perfectly understand, Comethup. Now look here, boy, I'm an old woman and I've had a good deal to do with men and women, young and old. Boy, you're keeping something from me, and it isn't fair; I thought we were too good comrades for that. Come, I don't want you to tell me anything that you'd rather keep to yourself, but you won't humbug me into believing that you fly down to that sleepy hollow whenever you can find time for the sake of seeing the captain. Now, then, is she dark or fair?" Comethup hesitated for a moment, then laughingly said, "Well, she's dark." "Of course I don't know the difference between one and the other," pursued Miss Carlaw. "I only know that it makes a difference in the character. Well, I suppose you've sworn eternal vows, and have fully made up your minds--both of you--to die at once if anything should separate you, eh?" "Not quite that," said Comethup. "In fact, I haven't--haven't really said anything to her." "What? You don't mean to tell me that you've been rushing backward and forward all this time and are just where you were when you started? Lord! things were different in my time. I must say you've been devilish slow, Comethup. Well, tell me all about it. Of course I know she's beautiful; we'll take that for granted. But is she nice? Is she a lady?" "She's everything that's nice, and of course she's a lady," said Comethup. "You remember when I was quite a little fellow and you brought me to London? Do you remember also that I mentioned a child of whom I was very fond--'Linda?" Miss Carlaw nodded. "Yes, I remember very well. And I suppose she's grown up, and has wrought havoc with your young affections all over again? Well, you're just the sort of fellow to fall in love very desperately and be tremendously in earnest. I'm sure I wish you luck. Only don't break your heart if you lose; there isn't a woman in the world that a man need break his heart over; you'll find that out some day." "Ah! but she's different from all other women; there couldn't be anybody like her," said Comethup. "Exactly; we take that for granted. Most women are stamped by some man or other at some moment of their lives with that hall-mark which sets them above every one of their sisters; the ugliest and the commonest of them may claim that privilege, in most cases at least, if only for an hour or two. But what about this girl? Does she know anything about you? Does she know you're rich?" "I'm sure I don't know," said Comethup a little indignantly. "But it wouldn't make any difference to her if she knew it." "Of course not; how should it?" said Miss Carlaw dryly. "Riches never make any difference in this world, do they, my dreamer? There, I won't laugh at you; go on with your wooing, and prosper in it. Do her parents, or whoever looks after her, know anything about the matter?"