“Thankee, ma’am,” said old Valentine, whose sight did not immediately acquaint him, in the dim candle-light, with Elizabeth’s change of front; wherefore he continued, placidly addressing her back: “I wouldn’t mind a glass and a pipe with friend Williams afore trudging back to the Hill.”
He then walked over to the disconsolate Colden, and, with a very gay-doggish expression, remarked in an undertone:
“Fine pair o’ girls yonder, major?”
He had known Colden from the time of the latter’s first boyhood visits to the manor, and could venture a little familiarity.
“Girls?” blurted the major, startled out of his meditations.
The old country beau chuckled.
“We all know what’s betwixt you and the niece. How about the aunt and me taking a lesson from you two, eh?”
Even the gloomy officer could not restrain a momentary smile.
“What, Mr. Valentine? Do you seriously think of marrying?”