‘She is, Solomon; and I don’t think we can conscientiously deny that we are in love with her.’
‘We are,’ said Mr Pudster with much humility.
Having thus ingenuously confessed their passion, the two gentlemen walked on in silence; and it was not until they were near home that they again spoke.
‘I suppose that it will be necessary as a matter of formal business,’ suggested Mr Pudster diffidently, ‘for us to call upon Mrs Bunter and apprise her of the state of our feelings. We mean, of course, to follow the matter up?’
‘Certainly, certainly,’ agreed Mr Maggleby; ‘we mean to follow the matter up.’
‘Perhaps the firm had better write to her and prepare her mind,’ proposed the senior partner, with kindly forethought.
‘The firm had better write to-morrow, Solomon; but, Solomon, it occurs to me that the firm cannot marry Mrs Bunter. You or I must be the happy man; and then, Solomon, we shall have to separate.’
‘Never!’ ejaculated Mr Pudster, who stopped and seized his friend by the hand—‘never! You shall marry Mrs Bunter, and we will all live together.’
‘Solomon, this magnanimity!’ murmured Mr Maggleby, who had tears in his eyes. ‘No; I will not accept such a sacrifice. You, as the senior partner, shall marry Mrs Bunter; and, with her permission, I will stay with you. The firm shall write to prepare her mind. Business is business. The firm shall write to-night; and I myself will take the letter to the post.’
Half an hour later, Mr Maggleby handed to Mr Pudster a letter, of which the following is a copy: