“That’s right, my dear Arthur, that’s right; and I will try and make her a good husband.”
“She is a very, very good woman, Harry!”
“The best of women, Arthur, the very best of women; and it will be so nice for those two girls to have her for guide.”
“Do—do they go—both go—with you—so soon?” said the Reverend Arthur, wiping his wet forehead and averting his head.
“Yes, of course,” said the doctor, eagerly.
“And—and does Mary say she will accept you, Harry?”
“No,” said a quick, decided voice. “I told him I could not leave you, Arthur;” and the two gentlemen started guiltily from their chairs.
“My dear Mary,” said the curate, “how you startled me.”
“I have not had time to tell him yet,” said the doctor, recovering himself; and taking the little lady’s hand, he led her to the chair he had vacated, closed the door, and then stood between brother and sister. “I have not had time to tell him yet, my dear Miss Rosebury, but I have been saying to him that it would be so satisfactory for you to help me in my charge of those two young ladies.”
Miss Rosebury started in turn, and coloured slightly.