"A what?" cried I. "Do say it over again!" But she was crying passionately.
"What's this about Wedding and Guard-Rings, Prue? Do you mean to say you are married?"
"Oh Patty! don't speak so unkindly—I can't bear it."
"I don't mean to be unkind,"—and I kissed her. "But you rack me with Suspense. Do speak out! Are you, can you be married to Tom?"
"Whether or no, I'm engaged to him quite as irrevocably, I assure you, Patty."
"You amaze and distress me beyond Measure," said I.
"I knew you would be very angry with me," said she.
"Angry? why should I be angry? There's no Reason why Tom and you should not marry, if you like it, except his Profession, and his being unable to keep a Wife. Two serious Exceptions, I admit."
"So serious, Patty, that I fear my Father and Mother would never overlook them—Oh! how angry my Father would be! I should never hear the Last of it."