“Well, I like that!” said Randolph. “Do you mean to impeach my statements?”
“Altogether better,” persisted Constance. “Yes, he is taller and has a most interesting face. He came forward to greet me without a particle of embarrassment, and there was something so manly and simple, and withal so high-bred in his every movement, that I was charmed. I know he must come of a fine family.”
“Oh, he does. He had a line of ancestors a mile long aboard the Mayflower. A cousin of his was telling me. He never said a word. He never talks.”
“Ah!” said Constance with an arch smile. “He talked that evening, I assure you, and to good effect. He had but a few moments to stay, but he made every moment tell. For one thing, he assured me, with a most winning smile, that he should feel constrained to rise in church and forbid the banns unless I promised to adopt him as a brother.”
Randolph's eyes and mouth opened again.
“Perhaps you'd better adopt him as something still nearer!” he said, with a pretense of anger.
“Now that you mention it,” Constance replied in a confidential tone, “I came very near doing so. The only reason I did not was that he forgot to ask me.”
Randolph broke into a laugh. Then he added in a puzzled tone:
“Well, it beats everything! In all the ten years I've known him I've never heard him say as much as that!”
“I can't repeat all he said——” Constance began again.