"Is it possible that you blades of the Coffee-house must come to a woman to learn the last gossip—and him a Sir?"
"It would seem so," he answered. "Who is this Sir Edward Parkington, and from where?"
"From London—come to Annapolis with letters to his Excellency and to Mr. Dulany. A very elegant gentleman, indeed."
"To have gained your favor, he must have been all that."
"Oh!" she said, "I just saw him for a moment, but it was quite sufficient."
"I wonder," he said, watching her narrowly, "I wonder if he has a wife?"
She laughed, gaily. "Meaning that, if he had not, I might be his lady?"
Herford bowed. "Since it may not be in the Colony, best back to London for the Colony's own good."
"Are you not a bit premature? Sir Edward may be married, and, even if he is not, I may not suit him for a wife."
"I was assuming him to be a man of taste; of 'the high kick of fashion' in all things."