This seemed to anger him,
for he said a little roughly: "Why doesn't he come out and give you
blazes on the promenade deck, and corner her down with a mighty cheek,
and levy on her for a thousand pounds? Both you and she would think more
of him. Women don't dislike being bullied, if it is done in the right
way--haven't I seen it the world over, from lubra to dowager? I tell you,
man--sinning or not--was meant to be woman's master and lover, and just
as much one as the other."
At this point Hungerford's manner underwent a slight change, and he
continued: "Marmion, I wouldn't have come near you, only I noticed you
have altered your course, and are likely to go on a fresh tack. It isn't
my habit to worry a man. I gave you a signal, and you didn't respond at
first. Well, we have come within hail again; and now, don't you think
that you might help to straighten this tangle, and try to arrange a
reconciliation between those two?
"The scheme is worth trying. Nobody need know but you and me. It wouldn't
be much of a sacrifice to her to give him a taste of the thing she swore
to do--how does it run?--'to have and to hold from this day forward'?--I
can't recall it; but it's whether the wind blows fair or foul, or the
keel scrapes the land or gives to the rock, till the sea gulps one of 'em
down for ever.
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