`` Oh ! -- Well , I think he has got off pretty easy , '' said Tackleton , taking a chair . The sneer was lost upon the Carrier , who sat down too , and shaded his face with his hand , for some little time , before proceeding . `` You showed me last night , '' he said at length , `` my wife -- my wife that I love -- secretly -- '' `` And tenderly , '' insinuated Tackleton . '' -- Conniving at that man 's disguise , and giving him opportunities of meeting her alone . I think there 's no sight I would n't have rather seen than that . I think there 's no man in the world I would n't have rather had to show it me . '' `` I confess to having had my suspicions always , '' said Tackleton . `` And that has made me objectionable here , I know . '' `` But , as you did show it me , '' pursued the Carrier , not minding him ; `` and as you saw her , my wife , my wife that I love '' -- his voice , and eye , and hand grew steadier and firmer as he repeated these words : evidently in pursuance of a steadfast purpose -- `` as you saw her at this disadvantage , it is right and just that you should also see with my eyes , and look into my breast , and know what my mind is upon the subject . For it 's settled , '' said the Carrier , regarding him attentively . `` And nothing can shake it now . '' Tackleton muttered a few general words of assent about its being necessary to vindicate something or other ; but he was overawed by the manner of his companion . Plain and unpolished as it was , it had a something dignified and noble in it , which nothing but the soul of generous honour dwelling in the man could have imparted . `` I am a plain , rough man , '' pursued the Carrier `` with very little to recommend me . I am not a clever man , as you very well know . I am not a young man . I loved my little Dot , because I had seen her grow up , from a child , in her father 's house ; because I knew how precious she was ; because she had been my life for years and years . There 's many men I ca n't compare with , who never could have loved my little Dot like me , I think ! '' He paused , and softly beat the ground a short time with his foot , before resuming : `` I often thought that though I was n't good enough for her , I should make her a kind husband , and perhaps know her value better than another ; and in this way I reconciled it to myself , and came to think it might be possible that we should be married .
And , XXXXX the end , it came about , and we were married ! ''
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