After she had slowed down to a walk, he
continued placidly, as if oblivious of an interruption:
"I said in that letter that I had just met the young lady I was
expecting to marry."
"Dear me, how interesting! Was she in the smoker?"
"No, she was in Section 3 of the Pullman."
"I wish I had happened to go into the other Pullman, but, of
course, I couldn't know the young lady you were interested in was
riding there."
"She wasn't."
"But you've just told me "
"That I said in the letter you took so much trouble to lose that
I expected to marry the young woman passing under the name of
Miss Wainwright."
"Sir!"
"That I expected--"
"Really, I am not deaf, Mr. Collins."
"--expected to marry her, just as soon as she was willing."
"Oh, she is to be given a voice in the matter, is she?"
"Ce'tainly, ma'am."
"And when?"
"Well, I had been thinking now was a right good time."
"It can't be too soon for me," she flashed back, sweeping him
with proud, indignant eyes.
"But I ain't so sure. I rather think I'd better wait."
"No, no! Let us have it done with once and for all."
He relapsed into a serene, abstracted silence.
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