Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/20

 of letters. 'Here are the congratulatory epistles from relations. Shall I read you a few?'

'It will be a most agreeable mode of passing the time,' said I.

'This is from Aunt Georgiana—she's a widow—lives at Cheltenham. "My dearest Dorothea

'Who?'

'Dorothea's my name, Mr. Carter. It means the gift of heaven, you know.'

'Precisely. Pray proceed, Miss Dolly. I did not at first recognise you.'

My dearest Dorothea, I have heard the news of your engagement to Lord Mickleham with deep thankfulness. To obtain the love of an honest man is a great prize. I hope you will prove worthy of it. Marriage is a trial and an opportunity

'Hear, hear!' said I. 'A trial for the husband and'

'Be quiet, Mr. Carter. "A trial and an opportunity. It searches the heart and it affords a sphere of usefulness which" So she goes on, you know. I don't see why I need be lectured just because I'm going to be married, do you, Mr. Carter?'

'Let's try another,' said I. 'Whose is that on pink paper?'

'Oh, that's Georgy Vane's. She's awful fun. "Dear old Dolly,—So you've brought it off. Hearty congrats. I thought you were going to be silly and throw away" There's nothing else there, Mr. Carter. Look here.