"Ehem!" said Toney in a loud voice, and the two flew apart, Maud turning round with a crimson face.
"Oh, Toney, we—I didn't think you would come here—— I was telling Mr. Lang——"
"Oh I say, Miss Whitburn, I'll take a leaf out of your book—— I want Maud to marry me and she won't say 'yes!'"
Toney nearly said, "How dishonourable," then by a sudden inspiration her mind was illumined. She must have imagined, all—the other thing? A great weight seemed to be suddenly lifted from her heart, she felt light as air so that she actually burst out laughing.
"Oh! Stars and Stripes!—Maud—you never told me—— Is it really true—or——"
Edward Lang's eyes were so blue and so kind, he seized Maud's hand.
"She'll obey you, Miss Whitburn—tell her to say 'yes'—and you can't say I love her for her money—because she has none, and if she will just reform this extravagant personage we shall be as happy as——"
"Gracious stars! Maud—do you——"
"He's most unworthy," said Maud laughing, "but I have a slight regard for him only—it's all very well promising to reform but——"
"You can't tell unless you try me," he answered, looking really in earnest, "but be witness, Miss Whitburn, 'pon my honour I will, Maud says I must work, and really I mean in future to be less of a lazy dog, but if Maud throws me up——"