The matter became almost farcical; it would have been farcical, but that the days were slipping by.
“It’s positively absurd,” Elizabeth told herself, half-laughing, half-angry.
But absurd or not, the little dumb devil was keeping close watch.
And here it was that Fate or Providence stepped in in a purely unexpected manner. Doubtless you, according to your views, will give the credit to whichever pleases you.
The intervention can hardly be termed direct. But then, that is frequently the case. It is the side issues, which in themselves appear of little or no importance, which have a momentous influence on the graver and deeper questions of life.
And here I am minded to quote the words reflected upon by the sunny-hearted Pippa.
“Say not ‘a small event!’ Why ‘small’?
Costs it more pain than this, ye call
A ‘great event,’ should come to pass,
Than that? Untwine me from the mass