“Oh, the pleasure of having a man of ability to deal with!” cried she, with enthusiasm. “This is my advice, then: stay Mr. Fountain out. He must go in a day or two. His time is up, and I will drop a hint of fresh visitors expected. When he is gone, warm by degrees, and offer yourself either in person, or through Bazalgette, or me.”
“In person, then, certainly. Of all foibles, employing another pair of eyes, another tongue, another person to make love for one is surely the silliest.”
“I am quite of your opinion,” cried the lady, with a hearty laugh.
Mr. Fountain. “So you are satisfied with the state of things?”
Mr. Talboys. “Yes, I think I have beaten the sailor out of the field.”
“Well, but—this Hardie?”
“Hardie! a shopkeeper. I don't fear him.”
“In that case, why not propose? I have been doing the preliminaries—sounding your praises.”
Mr. Talboys (tyrannically). “I propose next Saturday.”
Mr. Fountain. “Very well.”