"And yet he has this entire day—," she turned her face aside, feigning to conceal a blush.
"To-day! Why we have had no gentlemen guests to-day, except the pastor's assistant who came with the young ladies, and took his departure before they did."
"No gentlemen guests! As if he, the accomplished scholar, and entertaining gentleman, was nobody! and it was nothing that—"
"Well, what further?"
"That he, carried away by those charms, that you have so long observed with indifference, should become deeply smitten with me."
"What! Do you think he entertains a secret affection for you?"
"Affection, I will not say affection; but passion, which word your dull brain cannot comprehend, you virtuous and modest Joseph!" the lady laughed at her own joke, and then continued, "I am not certain whether I had better tell the young man that I have discovered his hope; but I shall be forced to forbid his visiting me, which will be the same as telling the whole world how this delicate affair stands."
"Will you permit me to give you a little advice?" said Mr. Fabian.
"Why not, Fabian, you are my husband, and as such you have the right to do so."
"Then I would say, drop the subject where it stands."