"Do you know I believe father thought you would fall in love with me and marry me? Wasn't it a funny idea?" said Kitty.
"Oh, v—v—very funny! Very funny!" said Jack, grinding his teeth softly.
"Yes; just think of your age. Why, you'll be twenty-eight on the tenth of March," said Kitty.
"Oh! So it's that young fool Malmesford, is it?" said Jack, viciously.
"What's that young fool Malmesford?" asked the innocent Kitty.
"Look here," said Jack, in a quiet, strained voice, "we're getting away from the point. You want to marry a man; and I'm to make him marry you. Who is he?"
"Ah," said Kitty, plaintively, with a long-drawn breath, "now I see why you're so keen about it. You want to get rid of me. You are tired of the trouble of looking after my stupid investments. Well, I'm sure I don't wonder at it. You want to marry me off, and have done with it. I wouldn't have sent for you if I'd known; I've only added to your trouble."
"Well," said the goaded Jack, "thank goodness you'll be of age in two years; and then I sha'n't be plagued like this."
"SHE SET DELIBERATELY TO WORK TO FILE THROUGH THE HANDLE."