"Truly, Lieutenant Brant,
I do not. I feel that Mr. Hampton would not say that without a good
and sufficient reason. He is not a man to be swayed by prejudice; yet,
whatever the reason may be, I know nothing about it."
"But you do not answer my last query."
"Perhaps I did not hear it."
"It was, How do I stand in your sight? That is of far more importance
to me now than any unauthorized command from Mr. Hampton."
She glanced up into his serious face shyly, with a little dimple of
returning laughter. "Indeed; but perhaps he might not care to have me
say. However, as I once informed you that you were very far from being
my ideal, possibly it may now be my duty to qualify that harsh
statement somewhat."
"By confessing that I am your ideal?"
"Oh, indeed, no! We never realize our ideals, you know, or else they
would entirely cease to be ideals. My confession is limited to a mere
admission that I now consider you a very pleasant young man."
"You offer me a stone when I cry unto you for bread," he exclaimed.
"The world is filled with pleasant young men. They are a drug on the
market. I beg some special distinction, some different classification
in your eyes.
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