“Well?” said Tom, eagerly.
“Why,” replied I, hardly having made my mind up what to say, yet not wishing to hurt his feelings, “the fact is, Tom, that the widow has a very good opinion of you.”
“I knew that,” interrupted Tom.
“And if she were ever to marry again—why, you would have quite as good a chance as the doctor.”
“I was sure of that,” said he.
“But at present, the widow—for reasons which she cannot explain to anybody—cannot think of entering into any new engagement.”
“I see—no regular engagement.”
“Exactly so; but as soon as she feels herself at liberty—”
“Yes,” said Tom, breathless.
“Why, then she’ll send, I presume, and let you know.”