I fear, Harry, you have not
played me fair in this business."
"How is that?" asked the other, rather quickly.
"I fear you've prejudiced your sister against me, and that instead of
giving me a clear stage, you gave me the 'no favor' portion of the adage
only."
"I am not in the habit of stating a falsehood, Hycy, nor of having any
assertion I make questioned; I have already told you, I think, that I
would not prejudice my sister against you. I now repeat that I have not
done so; but I cannot account for her prejudices against you any more
than I shall attempt to contradict or combat them, so far from that I
now tell you, that if she were unfortunately disposed to many you, I
would endeavor to prevent her."
"And pray why so, Harry, if it is a fair question?"
"Perfectly fair; simply because I should not wish to see my sister
married to a man unburthened with any kind of principle. In fact,
without the slightest intention whatsoever, Hycy, to offer you offence,
I must say that you are not the man to whom I should entrust Maria's
peace and happiness; I am her only brother, and have a right to speak as
I do. I consider it my duty."
"Certainly," replied Hycy, "if you think so, I cannot blame you; but I
see clearly that you misunderstand my character--that is all."
They separated in a few minutes afterwards, and Hycy in a very serious
and irritable mood rode homewards.
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