"Indeed I will sir; I have my petition all ready."

"Speak! But if you look up and smile with that countenance，I shall swear concession before I know to what，and that will make a fool of me."

"Not at all，sir; I ask only this: don"t send for the jewels，and don"t crown me with roses: you might as well put a border of gold lace round that plain pocket-handkerchief you have there."

"I might as well "gild refined gold." I know it: your request is granted then- for the time. I will remand the order I despatched to my banker. But you have not yet asked for anything; you have prayed a gift to be withdrawn: try again."

"Well，then，sir，have the goodness to gratify my curiosity，which is much piqued on one point."

He looked disturbed. "What? what?" he said hastily. "Curiosity is a dangerous petition: it is well I have not taken a vow to accord every request-"

"But there can be no danger in plying with this，sir."

"Utter it，Jane: but I wish that instead of a mere inquiry into，perhaps，a secret，it was a wish for half my estate."

"Now，King Ahasuerus! What do I want with half your estate? Do you think I am a Jew-usurer，seeking good investment in land? I would much rather have all your confidence. You will not exclude me from your confidence if you admit me to your heart?"

"You are wele to all my confidence that is worth having，Jane; but for God"s sake，don"t desire a useless burden! Don"t long for poison- don"t turn out a downright Eve on my hands!"

"Why not，sir? You have just been telling me how much you liked to be conquered，and how pleasant over-persuasion is to you. Don"t you think I had better take advantage of the confession，and begin and coax and entreat- even cry and be sulky if necessary- for the sake of a mere essay of my power?"

"I dare you to any such experiment. Encroach，presume，and the game is up."