“And you will let them marry in May?” eagerly inquired Drusilla.
“Ah! I don’t know. I cannot move in the matter unless the young gentleman does. I cannot fling my granddaughter at Mr. Dick Hammond’s head!”
“Oh, uncle! how can you say such things? You know poor Dick is tongue-tied on that subject for the present, by your probation, as well as by his sense of honor. He cannot speak of this without your leave. But only give him leave by a glance, a nod, a hint, and he will be on his knees to you to grant his suit and shorten his probation,” said Drusilla.
“Hem! Suppose you give the glance, nod, or hint, that may be required for the encouragement of this despairing lover?” proposed the General, archly.
“That I will, with all my heart and soul,” replied Drusilla, warmly.
The next day at noon, while Drusilla was walking beside her baby’s carriage out on the lawn, Dick, with his fishing rod over his back, sauntered up to her.
Drusilla dropped behind so as to let the carriage and the nurse get far enough ahead to be out of hearing, and then she said:
“Dick, I think if you will ask our uncle to release you from your promise of silence on a certain subject, that he will do so.”
“Drusilla, do you really think he will? If I thought so, if I was sure he would not banish me at once from Anna’s side, I would ask him this moment!” exclaimed Dick, his eyes dancing with eagerness.
“He will not banish you. Why should he? You will break no promise to him; you will only ask him if he sees fit to release you from your promise of silence on a certain subject. I think he will give you leave to speak on that subject. And, furthermore, when you do speak, I think he will listen to you favorably.”