"Oh, Billy has thought of that already--such a boy as he is. You're sure to have a badly spelt proposal from him, dear. But seriously speaking, will you,--oh, of course you will."
"Why should I?--you have not."
"My heart is buried in the grave of Billy's father," murmured Lady Richardson, pensively.
"Dig it up again."
"Well, there's Reggy Lake, of course; but he's so poor."
"All the more reason that he should propose. You have a good jointure."
"Settled entirely on myself," said the little woman, shrewdly; then added romantically, "I must be loved for myself alone."
"Oh!" Lady Jim shrugged. "If you expect miracles!"
"Really, Leah!" Her visitor became pinker than her rouge.
"I mean that men are selfish, dear. They always have their eye on the cash-box, you know."