"So would I," said Mrs. Duffer. "Marquises ought to marry marquises, and dukes dukes."
"There it is!" said Clara, "and now we must drink its health, and I hope we may be all married to them we like best before it comes round again." This had reference to the little clock on the mantelpiece, the hands of which had just crept round to twelve o'clock.
"I wish we might," said Crocker, "and have a baby in the cradle too."
"Go away," said Clara.
"That would be quick," said Mrs. Duffer. "What do you say, Mr. Tribbledale?"
"Where my heart's fixed," said Tribbledale, who was just becoming warm with the brandy-and-water, "there ain't no hope for this year, nor yet for the one after." Whereupon Crocker remarked that "care killed a cat."
"You just put on your coat and hat, and take me across to my lodgings. See if I don't give you a chance," said Mrs. Duffer, who was also becoming somewhat merry under the influences of the moment. But she knew that it was her duty to do something for her young hostess, and, true woman as she was, thought that this was the best way of doing it. Tribbledale did as he was bid, though he was obliged thus to leave his lady-love and her new admirer together. "Do you really mean it?" said Clara, when she and Crocker were alone.
"Of course I do,—honest," said Crocker.
"Then you may," said Clara, turning her face to him.