"Hermione and I are old friends. She has always been my little sister."
Mr. Dalrymple shook his head.
"Second cousins only—no, no! I could wish a nearer—"
"And I hope nothing will ever break through that tie," continued Harvey with haste. "By-the-bye, I have not told you yet my chief item of news. What will Hermione say to me for giving her a new cousin— a sister, if she will have me for her brother still?"
The word was repeated mechanically— "A sister!"
A minute of dead silence followed; then— "You mean—that you are engaged?"
"I have been married for more than three weeks?"
To this no answer came. Silence reigned.