"Well, sir," said she, wriggling about in her seat and looking coy, as if she guessed I meditated a proposal, and took the compliment to herself.
"Well, madam," said I, impatient to get through this painful duty, "to cut a long story short, I am in love with your charming niece."
"Oh! doctor," she exclaimed.
The "Oh!" was jerked out with a spasm truly painful, and her countenance fell visibly.
"I dare say you were not prepared for such a surprise, but I have known Miss Sykes now a long time, and I never saw anyone who could suit me better as a wife. Miss Sykes and I have talked the matter over together, and she only awaits her aunt's consent. Thank you, thank you, madam," said I seizing her hand, "I knew you would give it," before giving her an opportunity either to consent or refuse.
"Molly!" I cried, "come and thank your kind aunt for having given her consent to our happy union."
Molly entered, blushing and giggling.
"Come, Molly," said I, "come and thank aunt, for now we shall be as happy as two birds in a nest. I'll go and see about the licence, and we'll get married as soon as ever we can."
I laughed and appeared very merry, repeatedly seizing the aunt by the hand and patting her on the shoulder before she had time to get a word out.
"Stay, sir," said she, at length, "I can do nothing without the consent of my niece's father."