"Why, our Catherine's approaching union with Mr. Sumpter."
"Is the girl going to marry Sumpter? I don't like it, madam, I don't like it;" and the usually placid doctor displayed considerable impatience in his tone and manner.
"Why not? he is a wealthy, accomplished gentleman."
"Humph! a conceited, tricksy villain, you mean."
"Dr. Prague, is he not the friend and partner of my son-in-law, Esq. Hardin?"
"What of it?"
"Why, a good deal of it, I should say. Is not Esq. Hardin one of the first men in the city? I made the match between him and Marion, and I'm proud of the alliance. You cannot say that it was not a wise and judicious one."
"Whew! I don't know. Marion as melancholy as a mummy, and a child that shrieks in terror whenever its father approaches. Perhaps a wise match, but far enough from a happy one, I should say."
"The world calls it a nice match."
"Indeed."