Colonel Clifford. "Well, why don't you cut him out?"
Walter. "They seem so happy without it."
Colonel Clifford. "You are a muff. I'll do it for you. Forward!"
Colonel Clifford then marched down and seated himself in the chair Hope had made for him.
Julia saw him, and whispered Percy: "Ah! here's Uncle Clifford. He is going to marry me to Walter. Never mind—you are not jealous."
Percy turned yellow.
"Well," said Colonel Clifford to all whom it might concern, "this certainly is the most comfortable chair in England. These fools of upholsterers never make the bottom of the chair long enough, but Mr. Hope has made this to run under a gentleman's knees and support him. He's a clever fellow. Julia, my dear, there's a garden chair for you; come and sit down by me."
Julia gave a sly look at Percy, and went to Colonel Clifford. She kissed him on the forehead to soften the coming negative, and said: "To tell you the truth, dear uncle, I have promised to go down a coal mine. See! I'm dressed accordingly."
"Go down a coal mine!" said the Colonel, contemptuously. "What fool put that idea in your head?"
Fitzroy strutted forward like a bantam-cock. "I did, sir. Coal is a very interesting product."