"Yes, yes," replied the Duchess; "I love you."
"And I love you. Kiss me, Duchess. There won't be many prettier faces than yours when you grow up, and I'll love you more then than I do now. And you will love me more, won't you?"
"Yes, if you give me apples and sweetstuff. I love them."
"You shall have everything you ask for, Duchess; mind that--everything. I'm not rich now, but I shall be then; and you shall have carriages and horses----"
"Yes, yes," cried the Duchess, clapping her hands; "I'll love you--I'll love you!"
"And when you are old enough, you will be my little wife?"
"Yes, yes, I will."
"So we'll kiss on it, and it's a bargain."
After the embrace, a movement on the part of her brother, which indicated that he was about to leave the room, caused Sally to beat a rapid retreat downstairs, where, in the street, she waited for the Duchess to come out. The child came, holding Ned Chester by the hand, and Sally followed them unobserved until her brother left the Duchess with some playmates. Sally did not acquaint Seth Dumbrick with her discovery; but she, within an hour, introduced the subject in a manner familiar to them both.
"I want to tell you. Daddy Dumbrick, Pharer come again."