‘That father and mother are angry with me! If they had been kind about you, I should be the very happiest girl alive. I think I am that, now, but if everything were right with the old people, I should be the happiest in heaven or earth.’
‘My dear little wife, I don’t think you need trouble your sweet self about that, they are sure to come round before long. Why you know they couldn’t live without you. Naturally they are angry at present. We have been very naughty, but we mean to be ever so good for the future, so that they shall be quite proud of us. By the way, Jenny, did you write that letter to your father?’
‘Certainly, and posted it yesterday. Oh! what a time it seems since we were married. I can hardly believe it is only a day. It seems like a year.’
‘That’s very complimentary to me, my darling; but you might have had an answer to your letter by telegram this morning.’
‘So I might, but I daresay dear old papa is awfully enraged with me, and is keeping me in suspense on purpose; but mamma is sure to write in a day or two; I shall be glad to hear from them, Fred. I’d rather know the worst at once.’
‘Why, what do you suppose the worst will be, you little silly? Who can do you any real harm, now that you have me to protect you? Who could wound you through the circle of my arms,’ exclaimed Frederick, as he cast them around her. ‘I defy the world to take my angel from my clasp; and so long as she has me and I have her, we shall be happy!’
The girl was silent for a few moments, whilst her husband was devouring her with kisses, but when he released her, she said thoughtfully,—
‘Do you know who I doubt, Fred, though he has been our friend for years, and papa thinks there is no one like him—Mr Hindes! He has always been awfully good to me, and his wife is one of my dearest friends, but still, somehow, he always seems to come between me and anything I like. He is always advising papa about me, as if I belonged to him as well. He made him exchange my dog-cart for a Ralli, because he declared it was too dangerous for me to drive about in, and he makes mamma take me home from parties before twelve o’clock, for fear I should be overtired. I suppose he means it kindly, but I think it is very officious of him, and I have told him so. And now, I fancy, he will be advising my parents not to give in and forgive me too soon—perhaps tell them not to forgive me at all,’ added Jenny, with drooping head.
‘Officious, indeed! I should call it d—d impertinence on his part,’ acquiesced her husband, ‘and he wouldn’t try that game on twice with me! To tell you the truth, little woman, I don’t like your Mr Hindes any more than you do; he interfered in my affairs sufficiently by informing me I was to make myself scarce, but I expect by this time that he has found out his mistake. There is certainly something curious about the fellow. One cannot find fault with his manner, which is most courteous, and he seems well-informed into the bargain, and yet he has a knack of saying the most unpleasant things in a pleasant way that I ever came across. However, he will never worry you again, my Jenny, nor cross your path, if you don’t wish him to do so.’
‘Oh! I have no wish to cut him, only I fancy he will influence papa to hold out against us as long as possible. For the funny part about him is, that although he has always been so kind to me, personally, whenever he advises papa on my account, it is always something to give me annoyance instead of pleasure. I really quite hated him at one time, for so constantly opposing my wishes. I was always doing something unladylike, or dangerous, or foolish, according to Mr Hindes’ account.’