Page:Ballantyne--The Pirate City.djvu/123

Rh "You're not married yet, of course?"

To which Agnes replied, also with her eyes, innocently—

"No, not yet, but I hope to be soon."

Whereupon the whole party laughed immoderately and said, each one with her eyes—

"There can't be the smallest doubt whatever upon that point!"

At this point they were interrupted by the entrance of Hanyfa, but that lady, far from damping their ardour, took particular pleasure in assisting. By her advice they cut off a good deal more of the flaxen hair, and deepened the dye on the eyebrows, nails, and palms. Gradually, however, Hanyfa drew the negress Zooloo from the scene of action, and entered into a very earnest conversation in whispers, quite unheeded by the riotous youngsters. There seemed to be a pretty good understanding between these unusually intelligent females, if one might judge from the nods and winks and knowing smiles which passed between them; but their confabulation was cut short by the completion of the toilet.

Many other things of rare value and beauty, which we cannot afford space to mention, were put upon Agnes, and then she was led by the hand into the presence of her mamma!

To say that Mrs. Langley was dumfoundered is