“Oh, nothing serious, I assure you. I am so glad—so very glad to see you, Harry! You intend to remain with us, do you not?”
“Nay, I must know the meaning of that tear. Father is well, is he not?”
“When I last heard from him, at Charleston, he was never better. We are all well—quite well.”
“Introduce me to your companion, Amy.”
Amy did as her brother requested; and the introduction was soon succeeded by a frank explanation of the position of the parties, and of Aunt Adeline’s ferocious opposition to the existence of their present relation.
“I will punish the old shrew,” exclaimed Harry. “I owe her an ancient grudge, for making me go in petticoats, when a boy, a year longer than was necessary. Let me see—she is daily expecting this Colonel Mornington, you say?”
“Yes; and she is studying, with more zest than ever, the family records, to enlighten him fully in regard to her pedigree.”
“Well, you must concur in a little plot, by which you can be relieved from her present system of annoyance, and I can gratify the long-deferred vengeance implanted by her opposition to my appearance in jacket and trowsers. It is nearly ten years since she saw me. Of course she will not recognize me with these hirsute appendages. I will appear as Col. Mornington. I will make love to you. You must prove fickle, and receive my attentions—and then leave the dénouement to me.”
“Delightful! Do you approve of it, Thomas?”
“By all means. It will be a very harmless mode of revenging ourselves.”