"
Poor Rosier's face assumed an expression of alarm; a suit for the
hand of Pansy Osmond was even a more complicated business than his
taste for proper transitions had allowed. But the extreme good sense
which he concealed under a surface suggesting that of a careful
owner's "best set" came to his assistance. "I don't see that I'm bound
to consider Mr. Osmond so very much!" he exclaimed.
"No, but you should consider her. You say you're an old friend.
Would you make her suffer?"
"Not for the world."
"Then be very careful, and let the matter alone till I've taken a
few soundings."
"Let the matter alone, dear Madame Merle? Remember that I'm in
love."
"Oh, you won't burn up! Why did you come to me, if you're not to
heed what I say?"
"You're very kind; I'll be very good," the young man promised.
"But I'm afraid Mr. Osmond's pretty hard," he added in his mild
voice as he went to the door.
Madame Merle gave a short laugh. "It has been said before. But his
wife isn't easy either."
"Ah, she's a splendid woman!" Ned Rosier repeated, for departure.
He resolved that his conduct should be worthy of an aspirant who was
already a model of discretion; but he saw nothing in any pledge he had
given Madame Merle that made it improper he should keep himself in
spirits by an occasional visit to Miss Osmond's home.
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