“Ah! she’s frightened, poor thing; is she? Oh! she must keep up her spirits, while there’s life there’s hope.”
“Sir.”
“I say, my darling, she must not give way. I’ll speak to her a little. Is not he rather advanced in life?”
“Oh, Lord! no sir. Only two-and-thirty, my mistress tells me?”
“Two-and-thirty! Why I thought he was above sixty.”
“Above sixty! Law! sir. You have a bright fancy. This is the gentleman, ma’am. Now sir, I’ll just slip aside for a moment, and let you talk to her.”
“I am grieved, ma’am, that I have not the happiness to make your acquaintance under happier circumstances.”
“I must confess, sir—though I am ashamed”—
“Never be ashamed, ma’am. Your grief, although, I trust causeless, does you infinite honor.”
“Upon my soul she is rather pretty,” said the doctor to himself here.