"Yes, an offer of marriage."
"You are not in earnest?"
"Indeed I am! I am not sure but I shall give you a brother-in-law."
"I wasn't aware that you knew any eligible young man."
"He isn't a young man. Let me describe him to you. His name is Parkinson; he is somewhere between forty and fifty; he is partially bald, and—I am not quite sure that he is not bow-legged."
"And you love him?" queried Adeline, mischievously. "If so, I give my consent, for though I had hoped for a better-looking brother-in-law, I am not willing that your young affections should be blighted."
"Nonsense, Addie," returned Rose, half-vexed.
"Tell me all about it."
Rose did so, and her sister listened with fixed interest.
"And this young man who rescued you, and knocked your adorer's hat over his eyes. I suppose he was a commonplace young man, red-haired and freckled, perhaps?"