Ralph laughed, and said:
"You meant to say, my dear child, that the lady in question tried to make a quarrel between people who loved each other—not simply 'were friends'. For you know she tried to make us dislike one another."
Fanny received this insinuating speech with one of heir expressive "hums!"
"Don't you?" said Ralph.
"What; sir?"
"Love me!"
"Oh, devotedly!"
"Very well; it was not necessary to tell me, and, of course, that pretty curl of the lip is only to keep up appearances. But come now, darling of my heart, and light of my existence! as we hav'nt quarreled, in spite of Miss Sallianna, and still have for each other the most enthusiastic affection, be good enough to forget these things, and turn your attention to material affairs. You promised me a lunch!"
"Lunch!"
"Yes—and I am getting hungry."