“But he made quite a long speech, at the same time—I mean in continuation—and there’s nothing—nothing serious—nothing whatever—nothing on earth in it,” concluded he.
“But what did he say? Come, try and remember. You are young, and don’t know how reserved, and how hypocritical—all lovers are; they affect indifference often merely to conceal their feelings.”
“I hope she does not like him,” began William.
“I’m very sure she doesn’t,” interpolated Aunt Dinah rapidly; “no girl likes a man till she first knows that he likes her.”
“Because he took care to make it perfectly clear that he could not think of marrying her,” added William.
“Upon my life,” exclaimed the old lady briskly, “remarkably civil! To invite her cousin to dinner in order to entertain him with such an uncalled-for impertinence. And what did you say, pray?”
“He did not mention her, you see, in connection with all this,” said William.
“Oh! pooh! then I dare say there’s nothing in it,” exclaimed Aunt Dinah, vigorously grasping at this straw.
“Oh! But there is, I assure you. He made a long speech about his circumstances,” commenced William.
“Well, surely he can afford to keep a wife,” interrupted Dinah, again.