“What will you say for these, Augusta?” cried he, dangling before her eyes a gossamer scarf and an exquisite ivory fan, whilst his other arm thrown over her white shoulders again threatened the elastic down.
“Oh, Laurence, you are a darling! Where did these beautiful things come from?” and she gave him more than one kiss in payment.
“India, my love: they are ‘far-fetched and dear-bought,’ and so must be good for you, my lady. I met your uncle Chadwick with an old sea-captain, from whom I bought them. By the way, matrimony seems catching. We are invited to a wedding,” and he began leisurely to undress as he spoke.
“A wedding! Whose?”
He laughed.
“Ah, woman all over! I thought I had news for you. Guess!”
In small things as well as great it was his delight to tantalize, so he kept her guessing whilst he proceeded with his toilet, and she began to clasp her pearls on arms and neck, and in her pretty ears.
“Well,” said he at length, “who but your cousin Ellen!”
“Ellen?” She had gone so little near her own family that this was indeed news for her.