“Indeed! and to you—I should have thought—but no matter, I am truly rejoiced at the dear girl’s good fortune—however, I think it would have been more proper if Wallace had spoken to me first.”
“I don’t think so, my dear,” said Mr. Hazleton.
“No, I dare say not,” replied the lady, evidently piqued; “it is to be sure a mark of respect to your—your years.”
“On the contrary, I think it a mark of respect to Mrs. Churchill.”
“Mrs. Churchill!” exclaimed Mrs. Hazleton, “what has Mrs. Churchill to do with Herman Wallace’s proposals for my daughter?”
“Nothing at all—but a great deal to do with his proposals for her own.”
“What! Alice Churchill! You don’t mean to say that Herman Wallace has made proposals of marriage to her!”
“Certainly I do—and I have given my consent with all my heart, and I doubt not, from my representations, her mother will also give hers.”
“He is a villain!” exclaimed Mrs. Hazleton. “Have all his devoted attentions come to this? My poor Julia! has he been trifling with her affections merely for his own amusement—and has he now the audacity to offer his hand to another!”
“I thought you were aware, my dear,” said Mr. Hazleton, mildly, “that the affections of Julia were already given to a very deserving nephew of yours.”