“Ah! I knew the best way to interest you. Dear friend, I know of no one who could be of the same help to us as you.”
“There is no one who would be more willing, madam.”
“You have proved it long ago, Dr. Goldsmith. When Mary had that mysterious indisposition, was not her recovery due to you? She announced that it was you, and you only, who had brought her back to life.”
“Ah! my dear Jessamy Bride was always generous. Surely she is not again in need of my help.”
“It is for her sake I come to you to-day, Dr. Goldsmith. I am sure that you are interested in her future—in the happiness which we all are anxious to secure for her.”
“Happiness? What happiness, dear madam?”
“I will tell you, sir. I look on you as one of our family—nay, I can talk with you more confidentially than I can with my own son.”
“You have ever been indulgent to me, Mrs. Horneck.”
“And you have ever been generous, sir; that is why I am here to-day. I know that Mary writes to you. I wonder if she has yet told you that Colonel Gwyn made her an offer with my consent.”
“No; she has not told me that.”