“EvenArmadale，boobyasheis，understoodher。Afterbewilderinghimselfinalabyrinthofwordsthatlednowhere，hetookher——onecanhardlysayroundthewaist，forshehasn’tgotone——hetookherroundthelasthook-and-eyeofherdress，and，bywayofofferingherarefugefromtheindignityofbeingsenttoschoolatherage，madeheraproposalofmarriageinsomanywords。
“IfIcouldhavekilledthembothatthatmomentbyliftingupmylittlefinger，IhavenottheleastdoubtIshouldhaveliftedit。Asthingswere，IonlywaitedtoseewhatMissMilroywoulddo。
“Sheappearedtothinkitnecessary——feeling，Isuppose，thatshehadmethimwithoutherfather’sknowledge，andnotforgettingthatIhadhadthestartofherasthefavoredobjectofMr。
Armadale’sgoodopinion——toassertherselfbyanexplosionofvirtuousindignation。ShewonderedhowhecouldthinkofsuchathingafterhisconductwithMissGwilt，andafterherfatherhadforbiddenhimthehouse！Didhewanttomakeherfeelhowinexcusablyshehadforgottenwhatwasduetoherself？Wasitworthyofagentlemantoproposewhatheknewaswellasshedidwasimpossible？andsoon，andsoon。Anymanwithbrainsinhisheadwouldhaveknownwhatallthisrodomontadereallymeant。
Armadaletookitsoseriouslythatheactuallyattemptedtojustifyhimself。