“For, who knows what may happen, mamma dear? I can’t get such a chance as dear Phillip every day. He is young, handsome, rich, and much courted. Who knows what might happen in twelve months?”
Phillip, on the other hand, had his own motives for hastening the marriage, and sought every opportunity to visit and make love to his affianced.
His eloquence and importunities were so impressive that he found the fair Fanny daily yielding to his arguments.
And, knowing that she possessed a great vein of romance in her disposition, he played upon it so effectually that she finally consented to a clandestine marriage.
“We can easily procure a ‘licence’ and get married a few miles out in the country without the old folks knowing anything about it, and then we can avow the act whenever we see that your cruel father will relent.”
In accordance with this plan Phillip procured a marriage licence.
Fanny met him, and, after two hours’ ride, they alighted at a small country town, and were privately married.
EVERY BOY SHOULD READ THE NEW JOURNAL,
THE BOYS OF ENGLAND,