‘No? What a coincidence! I declare here’s some one else. You were not thinking of this some one else too; were you, Amy?’
Amy had been thinking of this some one else too; for it was Mr Sparkler. She did not say so, however, as she gave him her hand. Mr Sparkler came and sat down on the other side of her, and she felt the fraternal railing come behind her, and apparently stretch on to include Fanny.
‘Well, my little sister,’ said Fanny with a sigh, ‘I suppose you know what this means?’
‘She’s as beautiful as she’s doated on,’ stammered Mr Sparkler—‘and there’s no nonsense about her—it’s arranged—’
‘You needn’t explain, Edmund,’ said Fanny.
‘No, my love,’ said Mr Sparkler.
‘In short, pet,’ proceeded Fanny, ‘on the whole, we are engaged. We must tell papa about it either to-night or to-morrow, according to the opportunities. Then it’s done, and very little more need be said.’
‘My dear Fanny,’ said Mr Sparkler, with deference, ‘I should like to say a word to Amy.’
‘Well, well! Say it for goodness’ sake,’ returned the young lady.
‘I am convinced, my dear Amy,’ said Mr Sparkler, ‘that if ever there was a girl, next to your highly endowed and beautiful sister, who had no nonsense about her—’