"My dear cousin, I congratulate you. I presume Miss Pearl is to be the young lady of your choice."
"No; Celeste is too much of an angel for such a hot-headed scamp as I am. I mean another little girl, whom I've long had a penchant for. But where's your father?"
Minnette laughed sarcastically.
"Getting married, I presume. This night my worthy parent follows the Scriptural injunction, and takes unto himself a wife."
"Nonsense, Minnette!—you jest."
"Do I?" said Minnette, quietly. "I thought you knew me well enough now, Archie, to know I never jest."
"But, Minnette, it is absurd. Dr. Wiseman married in his old age. Why, it's a capital joke." And Archie laughed uproariously. "Who is the fortunate lady that is to be your mamma and my respected aunt?"
"Why, no other than that little savage, Gipsy Gower."
Had a spasm been suddenly thrust into Archie's heart, he could not have leaped more convulsively from his seat. Even the undaunted Minnette drew back in alarm.
"What did you say?" he exclaimed, grasping her arm, unconsciously, with a grip of iron. "To whom is he to be married?"