Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/220

"Why," replied the reverend gentleman, "that depends upon circumstances entirely."

"I see. But you do not think of leaving just yet?"

"Why—no. Until something has been settled of course, I shall not think of leaving. When do you think this affair will be arranged?"

"What affair do you allude to?"

"Why, of that affair of course—which has brought me to town."

"Oh! I beg pardon. I didn't ask as a matter of curiosity. I thought it might be something in which I was concerned."

"And so, my dear madam, it is."

"Indeed! Why what do you mean?"

"I know your delicacy," replied the reverend gentleman, with great deliberation, "and I appreciate it highly: but when am I to be introduced to him?"

"To him!—To whom?"

"Why, this gentleman."

"What gentleman?"

"Why, the gentleman who has made you an offer."

"Oh!" exclaimed Aunt Eleanor, gaily, being quite disposed to keep up that which she conceived to be a very pleasant jest, "I understand. You shall be introduced: I'll promise you that."

"Is he—very—remarkably—stout?"

"Not very—not remarkably so—at least, not that I know of. But you shall see him one of these days."

One of these days! This, under the circumstances, struck the reverend gentleman as being a most extraordinary expression. One of these days! Had he come between sixty and seventy miles, nominally for the purpose of being introduced to this man, but virtually in order to be told that he should see him one of these days?

"He is in town, I presume?" said he, after a pause.

"Really," returned Aunt Eleanor, still keeping up the assumed joke, "I don't know exactly where he is at present."

"Indeed! But, of course, he'll be here in a day or two?"

"He may be; and when he does come, I'll at once introduce him—you funny man, be assured of that."

Funny man! Well, in the judgment of the reverend gentleman, it was a funny affair altogether. He didn't know that he was particularly funny: he might be—he wouldn't undertake to deny that he was: nor did he deny it—but he thought the whole proceeding of course very odd.

"But," said he, "in the event of your accepting this offer, when do you think the affair will take place?"

"Well, I really cannot say; but, when it does take place, you will, I hope, do me the favour to officiate?"

"I shall feel, on the occasion of your marriage, great pleasure in being present. But I suppose it will be settled now in a very few days?"

"No, I don't think it will be so soon."

"In a week, then, or so?"

"I think not so soon as that."

"Well, my dear madam," said the reverend gentleman, who really