“Well, my girl, a nice establishment you’ll have at Deerchase. I swear, I’d throw Bulstrode and Bob Skinny in the river, both of ’em, and let the fishes eat ’em. However, if you can stand Skelton for a husband, you can stand anything.�
“Only give me a chance to stand Mr. Skelton, papa,� answered Sylvia demurely.
“If the house were to catch afire, I wonder which Skelton would think of first—you or his books?�
“The books, of course,� responded Sylvia, with easy sarcasm. “Wives come cheaper than books.�
“I’d like to see Richard Skelton’s face the first time you cross him.�
“You would see a very interesting face, papa—not very young, perhaps, but one that age cannot wither nor custom stale.�
“Sylvia, my child, you are a fool!�
“Only about Mr. Skelton, papa.�
“Lord, Lord, what are we coming to!�
“I know what I’m coming to, papa. I am coming to be the wife of the finest man in the world, and the kindness and condescension of Mr. Skelton in wanting to marry me I never can be sufficiently grateful for—� At which, in the midst of a shriek of protest from Mrs. Shapleigh, Sylvia ran out of the room.