“By making my friend Freddy a good wife, and being married on the same day that I am.”
“That you are! are you joking?”
“Never was more serious in my life, I can assure you.”
“Are you really going to be married? Oh! I am so glad! Is the lady a nice person? do I know her?”
“The most charming person in the world,” replied I, “and you know her intimately.”
“Why, you can't mean Cla——”
“Hush!” exclaimed I, as a sudden silence rendered our conversation no longer private.
“Lucy, my dear, may I request your company for a few minutes in my study?” said Mr. Coleman, holding the door open with an air of dignified courtesy for his niece to pass out. She had acquired double importance in his eyes, since the eldest son of a real live peer of the realm had declared himself her suitor.
“Allow me, governor—ar—Mr. Coleman, I mean,” said Lawless, springing forward, “it's for us young fellows to hold doors open, you know—not old reprobates like you,” he added in an undertone, making a grimace for my especial benefit at the retreating figure of the aforesaid irreverently apostrophised legal luminary.
“Ah!” said Mrs. Coleman, by whom this by-play had been unobserved, “I wish all young men were like you, Mr. Lawless: we see very little respect to grey hairs nowadays.”