"stoker-dracula-168" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stoker Bram)

couldn't help feeling a bit serious too- I know, Mina, you will
think me a horrid flirt- though I couldn't help feeling a sort of
exultation that he was number two in one day. And then, my dear,
before I could say a word he began pouring out a perfect torrent of
love-making, laying his very heart and soul at my feet. He looked so
earnest over it that I shall never again think that a man must be
playful always, and never earnest, because he is merry at times. I
suppose he saw something in my face which checked him, for he suddenly
stopped, and said with a sort of manly fervour that I could have loved
him for if I had been free:-

"'Lucy, you are an honest-hearted girl, I know. I should not be here
speaking to you as I am now if I did not believe you clean grit, right
through to the very depths of your soul. Tell me, like one good fellow
to another, is there any one else that you care for? And if there is
I'll never trouble you a hair's breadth again, but will be, if you
will let me, a very faithful friend.'

"My dear Mina, why are men so noble when we women are so little
worthy of them? Here was I almost making fun of this great-hearted,
true gentleman. I burst into tears- I am afraid, my dear, you will
think this a very sloppy letter in more ways than one- and I really
felt very badly. Why can't they let a girl marry three men, or as many
as want her, and save all this trouble? But this is heresy, and I must
not say it. I am glad to say that, though I was crying, I was able
to look into Mr. Morris's brave eyes, and I told him out straight:-

"'Yes, there is some one I love, though he has not told me yet
that he even loves me.' I was right to speak to him so frankly, for
quite a light came into his face, and he put out both his hands and
took mine- I think I put them into his- and said in a hearty way:-

"'That's my brave girl. It's better worth being late for a chance of
winning you than being in time for any other girl in the world.
Don't cry, my dear. if it's for me, I'm a hard nut to crack; and I
take it standing up. If that other fellow doesn't know his
happiness, well, he'd better look for it soon, or he'll have to deal
with me. Little girl, your honesty and pluck have made me a friend,
and that's rarer than a lover; it's more unselfish anyhow. My dear,
I'm going to have a pretty lonely walk between this and Kingdom
Come. Won't you give me one kiss? It'll be something to keep off the
darkness now and then. You can, you know, if you like, for that
other good fellow- he must be a good fellow, my dear, and a fine
fellow, or you could not love him- hasn't spoken yet.' That quite
won me, Mina, for it was brave and sweet of him, and noble, too, to
a rival- wasn't it?- and he so sad; so I leant over and kissed him. He
stood up with my two hands in his, and as he looked down into my face-
I am afraid I was blushing very much- he said:-

"'Little girl, I hold your hand, and you've kissed me, and if