‘The very antipodes, as Harrison would say! Guess again.’
‘Help me, Mr. Fotheringham,’ she began; but Arthur, with a tremendous start, exclaimed, ‘Hollo! if that is not a shame! How I wish I had said what a shocking bad match it is!’
‘You think so, do you?’ said Percy, advancing, and heartily shaking Arthur’s ready hand.
‘Oh! that is your look-out,’ said Arthur, shrugging his shoulders.
‘But, do you really mean it?’ said Violet, looking from one to the other, as Percy’s hand seemed to claim the same welcome from her.
‘Indeed, I do,’ said Percy, earnestly. ‘O, how glad John will be!’ was her congratulation.
‘So, I must say nothing about the gray,’ proceeded Arthur. ‘What is it some one says about Cupid’s steeds? I vow I will call her Psyche, if it is only to make Theodora savage!’
‘Where is your father?’ said Percy.
‘With John. That was where I heard it.’ Then, as Percy was leaving the room, ‘Well, you are a bold man! I hope you mean to kill the cat on the wedding-day. That is all.’
‘I am obliged for your experience,’ said Percy.