As soon as I saw that gracious lady, your aunt, I knew
that I was in love. Foolishly I took it for granted that it was she
for whom my heart was thrilling. How mistaken I was! Directly you
came, you opened my eyes, and now--
DELIA. Mr. Devenish, you don't say you're proposing to me?
DEVENISH. I am. I feel sure I am. Delia, I love you.
DELIA. How exciting of you!
DEVENISH (with a modest shrug). It's nothing; I am a poet.
DELIA. You really want to marry me?
DEVENISH. Such is my earnest wish.
DELIA. But what about my aunt?
DEVENISH (simply). She will be my aunt-in-law.
DELIA. She'll be rather surprised.
DEVENISH. Delia, I will be frank with you. I admit that I made Mrs.
Tremayne an offer of marriage.
DELIA (excitedly). You really did? Was it that first afternoon I
came?
DEVENISH. Yes.
DELIA. Oh, I wish I'd been there!
DEVENISH (with dignity). It is not my custom to propose in the
presence of a third party. It is true that on the occasion you
mention a man called Baxter was on the lawn, but I regarded him no
more than the old apple-tree or the flower-beds, or any other of
the fixtures.
DELIA. What did she say?
DEVENISH. She accepted me conditionally.
DELIA. Oh, do tell me!
DEVENISH. It is rather an unhappy story. This man called Baxter in
his vulgar way also made a proposal of marriage.
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