'Silly girl!' said Mr Gaskoin, shaking his friend heartily by the hand. 'I see what it is: she is nervous about a little deception we have been practising on you.'
'A deception!'
'Why, you see, my dear fellow, when I told Frances that you were coming here, she objected to meeting you'——
'Indeed! On what account?'
'You have never suspected anything?' said Mr Gaskoin, scarcely repressing his laughter.
'Suspected anything? No.'
'It has never by chance occurred to you that this bewitching niece of mine is'——
'Is what?'
'Your betrothed lady, for example, Frances Seymour?'
Major Elliott's cheeks and lips turned several shades paler; but the candles were not lighted, and his friends did not remark the change.