"I broke off, Major M'Toddy? I tell you she broke off with me."
"Did she tell you so?" enquired the senior.
"No—do you think I would condescend to ask her? No; but doesn't every body know that she is married?"
"Have you seen the announcement in the papers?"
"I never look at the papers—but I tell you I know from the best authority, that she is either married, or is going to marry an old worn-out fellow of the name of Smith. A friend of Smith's told me so, the last time I came down by the coach."
"A man on the top of the coach told you that she was going to be married—that is, in vulgum pargere voces, as a body may say—capital authority! And what did you do then?"
"Sent her back her letters—with a tickler to herself on her conduct."
"And was that a'?—did you not write to any of her family?"
"No. Her eldest sister is a very delightful, sensible girl, and I am certain must have been as angry at Marion's behaviour as I was."
"And now her brother's come home to-day—you're sure to meet him—it'll be an awkward meeting."