"
"Seeing that Mrs. Octagon hated her sister and was not likely,
to be influenced by her, I do not see how that can be."
"Perhaps not. Nevertheless, such is the case. You saw how,
when Miss Loach died, Mrs. Octagon seized the first
opportunity to place obstacles in the way of your marriage."
"I believe she did that on Maraquito's account, Mr. Hale. I
know perfectly well that Mrs. Octagon called on Maraquito."
"Quite so--to ask Maraquito not to let Basil Saxon play
beyond his means. Certainly, Maraquito having a strange fancy
for you, agreed, on condition that Mrs. Octagon refuse to let
Miss Saxon marry you. But, in any case, Mrs. Octagon hates
your uncle too much to allow her daughter to become your wife.
You will never get Mrs. Octagon's consent unless I help you."
"You!" echoed Mallow, astonished and annoyed. "What possible
influence can you have with Mrs. Octagon. I have certainly
seen you at her house, but I scarcely think you know her well
enough--"
"Oh, yes, I do." Hale rose in his earnestness. "See here,
sir; I love Maraquito and I wish to marry her."
"You can, so far as I am concerned,"
"So you say," said Hale bitterly, "but you cannot be ignorant
that Maraquito loves you."
"I don't see what that has to do with our conversation,"
replied Mallow, growing red and restless.
"It has everything to do with the matter. I want to marry
Maraquito, as I am rich and deeply in love with her.
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