“You mean that it might not always be so easy to applaud me.”
She only laughed, and made no effort to disclaim the assertion.
“Well,” said he, with a sigh, “who knows but if I live to be old and rich I may be fortunate enough to have such an accommodating friend? Who are the other 'intimates' here? I ask because we are going to be domesticated also.”
“I heard so this morning.”
“I hope with pleasure, though you have n't said as much.”
“With pleasure, certainly; but with more misgiving than pleasure.”
“Pray explain this.”
“Simply that the very quiet life we lead here would not be endurable by people who like the world, and whom the world likes. We never see any one, we never go out, we-have not even those second-hand glances at society that people have who admit gossiping acquaintances; in fact, regard what you have witnessed to-day as a dinner-party, and then fashion for yourself our ordinary life.”
“And do you like it?”
“I know nothing else, and I am tolerably happy. If papa and Tom were here, I should be perfectly happy.”