"Scarcely; people don't flirt after marriage--together, at least. But it will be the end of all mamma's grand schemes for me. She always hoped I should twine strawberry leaves with my marriage wreath. Heavens, how nearly I was having a wreath of seaweed!" she added, with a shudder and a little gasping laugh as I kissed her hand. "O, my poor Harry, with an arm broken, and by my means I shall never forgive myself--never!"
"Better an arm than if my heart had been broken by your means, Estelle," said I, in a low voice. After a little she said calmly and in an earnest tone, while her colour came and went more than once,
"We must be secret, secret as we are sincere; and yet such a system is repugnant to me, and to my pride of heart."
"Secret, Estelle!" (How delicious to call her simply Estelle!) "Why?"
"It is most necessary--yet awhile, at least."
"Your mamma's objections?"
"More than that."
"What--more?"
"By papa's will mamma has entire control over all her fortune and mine, too, and should I marry without her full approbation and consent, she may bequeath both if she pleases to my cousin Naseby, leaving but a pittance to me."
"But what will not one undergo for love?" said I, gazing tenderly into her eyes.