"Did I? But I am surprised. He's a very fine young fellow, and I wish Cynthia joy; but do you like it? It will have to be a very long engagement."
"Perhaps," said she, in a knowing manner.
"At any rate he will be away for two years," said Mr. Gibson.
"A great deal may happen in two years," she replied.
"Yes! he will have to run many risks, and go into many dangers, and will come back no nearer to the power of maintaining a wife than when he went out."
"I don't know that," she replied, still in the arch manner of one possessing superior knowledge. "A little bird did tell me that Osborne's life is not so very secure; and then—what will Roger be? Heir to the estate."
"Who told you that about Osborne?" said he, facing round upon her, and frightening her with his sudden sternness of voice and manner. It seemed as if absolute fire came out of his long dark sombre eyes. "Who told you, I say?"
She made a faint rally back into her former playfulness.
"Why? can you deny it? Is it not the truth?"
"I ask you again, Hyacinth, who told you that Osborne Hamley's life is in more danger than mine—or yours?"