'We'll talk about that another time. Are you going to buy the paper-cutter?'
Casting her eyes in despair around the walls of the fancy-goods shop to see if she could find anything she liked better, Dolly decided in favour of the paper-cutter and paid the money after a feeble attempt at bargaining.
In the street they saw Mortimer, who had now allowed his hair to grow in long, snake-like curls completely over his shoulders.
'For goodness' sake come away,' cried Beaumont, 'I do hate speaking to him in the street, everybody stares so.'
The girls turned to fly, but the heavy lead was upon them, and in his most nasal tones said:
'Well, my dear young ladies, engaged in the charming occupation of buying nuptial gifts?'
'How very sharp you are, Mr. Mortimer,' answered Dolly in her pertest manner; 'and what are you going to give? We should so much like to know.'
After a moment's hesitation he said, throwing up his chin after the manner of a model sitting for a head of Christ:
'My dear young lady, you must not exhibit your curiosity in that way; it's not modest.'
'But do tell us, Mr. Mortimer; you're a person of such good taste.'