“You surely know that the man to whom you have given your heart is a gentleman!”
“Yes, Auntie, but then I knew that Beauregard Dabney was a gentleman—and so did you. And see what has happened!”
“But, Sylvia dear! You don’t know that it’s that!”
“I very nearly know it. And if Beauregard was willing to marry when he—”
“But he may not have known it, Sylvia!”
“Well, don’t you see, Aunt Varina? That makes it all the more serious! If Mr. van Tuiver himself can be ignorant, how can I feel safe?”
“But, Sylvia, what could you do?”
“Why, I should think he ought to go to some one who knows—a doctor—and make sure.”
The poor old lady was almost speechless with horror. What was the world coming to? “How can you say such a thing?” she exclaimed. “You, a pure girl! Who could suggest such a thing to Mr. van Tuiver?”
“Couldn’t Papa do it?”