"Now do begin at once, and open the budget," urged Fanny, when they had all disposed themselves comfortably in the smoking-room, and the butler had withdrawn, bearing the empty coffee cups. Mallender had not found himself a seat, but walked about restlessly, with an unlighted cigar between his fingers. At last, he came to a standstill before Fanny, and said:
"Well, my first piece of news is, that I am going to marry Barbie Miller!"
"Barbie!" echoed Mrs. Tallboys, then after a moment's pause, "Oh, my dear boy, I am so glad, so glad!" and she rose from her chair, and embraced him.
"I would follow suit," said Nancy putting down her cigarette, "and kiss you too, but Barbie might not like it."
"I call it a very sound choice," said Colonel Tallboys, "and I congratulate you, my boy. Yes, though there's no money, and a terrible mother, Barbie is the nicest little girl I know, what hair, and what hands!"
"I never noticed her hands," said Nancy, "I always look at feet, she has such pretty feet!"
"Hands, on a horse's mouth."
"But," resumed Nancy, sitting very erect, "I thought——"
"Yes, yes, I know," interrupted Mallender precipitately, "that's all right now."
"Nothing like beginning, or going on, with a little aversion?"