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love long ago。
'Then； on my return； I thought I would just call and see you； and go
away and think what would be best for me to do with a view to the
future。 But since I have been here I have felt that I could not go
away to think without first asking you what you think on one point
whether you could ever marry me？'
'I thought you would ask that when I first saw you。'
'Did you。 Why？'
'You looked at me as if you would。'
'Well；' continued Christopher； 'the worst of it is I am as poor as
Job。 Faith and I have three hundred a year between us； but only
half is mine。 So that before I get your promise I must let your
father know how poor I am。 Besides what I mention； I have only my
earnings by music。 But I am to be installed as chief organist at
Melchester soon； instead of deputy； as I used to be； which is
something。'
'I am to have five hundred pounds when I marry。 That was Lord
Mountclere's arrangement with Ethelberta。 He is extremely anxious
that I should marry well。'
'That's unfortunate。 A marriage with me will hardly be considered
well。'
'O yes； it will；' said Picotee quickly； and then looked frightened。
Christopher drew her towards him； and imprinted a kiss upon her
cheek； at which Picotee was not so wretched as she had been some
years before when he mistook her for another in that performance。
'Berta will never let us come to want；' she said； with vivacity；
when she had recovered。 'She always gives me what is necessary。'
'We will endeavour not to trouble her；' said Christopher； amused by
Picotee's utter dependence now as ever upon her sister； as upon an
eternal Providence。 'However； it is well to be kin to a coach
though you never ride in it。 Now； shall we go indoors to your
father？ You think he will not object？'
'I think he will be very glad；' replied Picotee。 'Berta will； I know。'
End