“Well, and how did it all come about?” To this question James did not obtain a direct answer; but after about half-an-hour of explanation, description, and rapture, he said:
“Well, Hugh, you are in for it, and no mistake. I’m sorry for you. And, pray, what do you intend to do?”
“I wish to act as considerately as possible to everyone,” said Hugh. “I shall go home and tell my mother myself—”
“Without engaging yourself to Violante?”
“I shall do nothing in a hurry; but you cannot suppose that it needs spoken words to bind me now.”
“But I say,” said James suddenly, “did not some one say she was engaged to the manager?”
“That is not true,” said Hugh, colouring up; “she cannot endure him.”
“Oh!” said James, dryly. “All things considered, I wonder you did not speak before to-night.”
“I should not have expected you to take that view,” returned his brother.
“Well, she’s none the worse for it, of course; but, still, when it comes to one’s wife, you see, Hugh, there are advantages in plain sailing.”