"When?"
"O soon; any day. He may be here any day. And then, mamma—"
"And was the will broken?"
"No, I believe not. At any rate, Mr. Southwode, our Mr. Southwode, has it all. But he's absurd, mamma; he pays people, workmen, more than they ought to have; and he sells, or makes them sell, for less; less than the market price; and he gives away all his income. So Mr. Lingard says."
"He will learn better," said Mrs. Busby.
"Well, mamma, he's coming back; and what will you do?"
"Welcome him," said her mother. "I always liked Mr. Southwode."
"Yes, yes, but I mean, about Rotha. He will look her up, the first thing; and she will fly ecstatically to meet him—I remember their parting salute two years ago, and their meeting. I don't doubt, will be equally tender. Mamma, are you prepared to come down with something handsome in the way of wedding presents?"
"Nonsense!"
"It's not nonsense!" said Antoinette vehemently. "It will be the absurd truth, before you know where you are; and papa, and you, and I, we shall all have the felicity of offering congratulations and holding receptions. If you don't prevent it, mamma! Can't you prevent it? Won't you prevent it? O mamma! won't you prevent it?"