"
"Oh, then it is possible that, by the merest chance, the gentleman you
have accidentally asked to dinner, may, by some strange fortuity,
be surprised into asking me a second time for something very much
resembling my daughter's hand--eh?"
Rosa colored high. "He might, you know. How can I tell what gentlemen
will say when the ladies have retired and they are left alone
with--with"--
"With the bottle. Ay, that's true; when the wine is in, the wit is out."
Said Rosa, "Well, if he should happen to be so foolish, pray think of
ME; of all we owe him, and how much I love him, and ought to love him."
She then bestowed a propitiatory kiss, and ran off to dress for dinner;
it was a much longer operation to-day than usual.
Dr. Staines was punctual. Mr. Lusignan commented favorably on that.
"He always is," said Rosa, eagerly.
They dined together. Mr. Lusignan chatted freely, but Staines and Rosa
were under a feeling of restraint, Staines in particular; he could not
help feeling that before long his fate must be settled. He would either
obtain Rosa's hand, or have to resign her to some man of fortune who
would step in; for beauty such as hers could not long lack brilliant
offers. Longing, though dreading, to know his fate, he was glad when
dinner ended.
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