Alfred sighed. He polished off his glass — no feat, as it was nearly empty already — and moved to pour himself another.

"Her family won't let me marry her," he said, which was true but also didn't really get in to the whole lengthy explanation of how their courtship had originated in the first place. "And she cares what they think too much to elope with me."

He took a drink, then added, in case it wasn't clear, "I've asked." On several occasions.