"Instead; I shall tell of winning this fair hand on your waking, when we wed as now." And his dark moustache is on her lips; "your kisses are all mine, is it not so, my wife?"
"Can you doubt it? you have conquered."
"You will think me impatient, dear, but I want you to take my name at once."
"At once! and still, have your own way, my lord. I, like yourself, have only myself to please."
"At last, I shall feel settled, Kate; the dear old place will again ring with happy voices, old friends will be there," and he whispered low and tenderly, "In time, I trust, an heir will prattle at our knees, how happy would my dear mother be could she see our union consummated, my life arranged for."——
"This Lady Esmondet, Colonel, is she a very old friend?"
"Very; and I am one of those men who must lean on some woman; I fear at times I have tried her patience severely."
"What kind of woman is she?"
"Well, I can scarcely describe her; how do you mean, dear. In personal appearance? no, for you have seen her?"
"Yes, we have met; I mean in other ways, saint or sinner?"