The half bargain was concluded, and Sidney went on his way rejoicing. There was rejoicing in the hearts of all in that house for a while. Mrs. Wesden cried over her girl as though she was going away to-morrow, but talked as if it were a settled engagement, and was glad that Sidney Hinchford was to be her son-in-law some day. Mr. Hinchford and Mr. Wesden smoked their pipes together that evening, and talked about it in short disjointed sentences, amidst which Mr. Hinchford learned that Mr. Wesden would retire from business before the year's probation had expired, leaving Mattie, possibly, in charge. Mattie and Ann Packet in the lower regions dwelt upon the same subject, free debatable ground, which no one cared to hem round by restrictions.
Late in the evening, Mattie stole up to Harriet's bed-room, and knocked softly at the panels of the door.
"May I come in?" she asked.
"To be sure, Mattie."
"I thought that you would be sitting here, thinking of it."
"Thinking of what, Mattie?"
"Ah! you don't tell me anything now—but I can guess—and Mr. Sidney did not sit in the parlour all the evening for nothing!"
"No, Mattie; but it's not a downright engagement yet. I'm to try if I can like Sidney first."
"That's the best way—didn't I say that this would happen some day, Miss Harriet?"
"But it hasn't happened yet."