“What on earth do you mean?”
“Just this. Your father has given his consent. There is now no impediment in the way of——”
“Impediment! Pray tell me what I am to understand by this.”
“You cannot guess, then, my darling?”
Miss Jamblin coloured, and stammered out the monosyllable, “No.”
“I say he has given his consent freely and unconditionally. What say you to that?”
“I wish you would speak a little more plainly.”
“Oh, Patty! surely you who are so quick-witted will find it easy to divine my meaning. You do not need to be reminded of my devotion to you. You do not need me to plead my own cause, for, to say the truth, I am a very dunce in affairs of this sort. You do not require me to tell you how dearly and fondly I love you.”
“Upon my word, you are growing eloquent all of a sudden.”
“It is the first time I ever was, then; but, Patty, say something. Tell me, do you——”