“Like him? Yes; but very much better-looking. She's singularly handsome, and such a girl! so straightforward and so downright It is a positive luxury to meet her after all the tiresome conventionalities of the every-day young lady.”
“Shall I ask her here?”
“Oh, if you would, aunt!—if you only would!”
“That you may fall in love with her, I suppose?”
“No, aunt, that is done already.”
“I think, sir, I might have been apprised of this attachment!” said she, bridling.
“I didn't know it myself, aunt, till I was close to the Cape. I thought it a mere fancy as we dropped down Channel; grew more thoughtful over it in the Bay of Biscay; began to believe it as we discovered St. Helena; and came back to England resolved to tell you the whole truth, and ask you, at least, to see her and know her.”
“So I will, then. I 'll write and invite her here.”
“You 're the best and kindest aunt in Christendom!” said he, rushing over and kissing her.
“I'm not going to let you read it, sir,” said she, with a smile. “If she show it to you, she may. Otherwise it is a matter between ourselves.”