“Captain Treherne? I shall bow politely, and drive on.”
“And what if he comes here in your absence?”
“My compliments and regrets that unavoidable engagements deprived me of the pleasure of seeing him.”
“Lisabel, I don't believe you have a bit of heart in you.”
“Oh, yes, I have; quite as much as is convenient.”
Mine was full, and she saw it. She patted me on the shoulder good-naturedly.
“If there ever was a dear little dolt, its name is Theodora Johnston. Why, child, at the worst, what harm am I doing? Merely showing a young fellow, who, I must say, is behaving rather badly, that I am not breaking my heart about him, nor mean to do it.”
“But I thought you liked him?”
“So I do; but not in your sentimental sort of way. I am a practical person. I told him, exactly as papa told him, that if he came with his father's consent, I would be engaged to him at once, and marry him as soon as he liked. Otherwise, let him go! That's all. Don't fret, child, I am quite able to take care of myself.”
Truly, she was! But I thought, if I were a man, I certainly should not trouble myself to go crazy after a woman,—if men ever do such a thing.