"And I shall stay till after Whitsuntide unless I am turned out."
"Oh! but you will be turned out. I am not going to make myself answerable for any improper amount of idleness. Papa says you have got all the law courts to reform."
"There must be a double Hercules for such a set of stables as that," said Felix; and then with the slight ceremony to which I have before adverted he took his leave for the day.
"I suppose there will be no use in delaying it," said Lady Staveley on the same morning as she and her daughter sat together in the drawing-room. They had already been talking over the new engagement by the hour, together; but that is a subject on which mothers with marriageable daughters never grow tired, as all mothers and marriageable daughters know full well.
"Oh! mamma, I think it must be delayed."
"But why, my love? Mr. Graham has not said so?"
"You must call him Felix, mamma. I'm sure it's a nice name."
"Very well, my dear, I will."
"No; he has said nothing yet. But of course he means to wait till,—till it will be prudent."
"Men never care for prudence of that kind when they are really in love;—and I'm sure he is."