Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/69

 Salt—eh? But I'll not quote Scripture any more in your presence, Miss Dimpleton; I only make a mess of it.’

‘Yes, you do,’ said Rose, facing him with a boldness of look and tone which none present had ever known her exhibit before, and which took Athelstan Lockstable quite aback; a pleasant tremor ran through him, and he remained silent. Miss Blemmyketts nudged Lesbia, who nodded in reply, and even Mr Bristley involuntarily raised his eyebrows for the moment.

‘I sorter kinder guess you’re potted, my mannikin,’ said Letitia, loudly enough only to be heard by Lesbia; but Lockstable met and understood the look Miss Blemmyketts fastened upon him, and he stood as one dazed with the suddenness of the prospect. He had never until now thought of Rose Dimpleton but as an acquaintance, but now there could be no doubt in his mind that she had taken a strong fancy to him, that the little collisions between them had broken the ice and ended in attraction. Why not, after all? She was a little young to marry, but they could wait a year or two if necessary. He had means to marry any girl who would have him, and he would choose her. Done; they would come to an understanding; the sooner the better. Miss Blemmyketts read everything that was passing in his mind, and good-naturedly gave him a lift.

‘Lesbia,’ she said, ‘when you have done your practising, I should like to have a talk with you.’

‘By all means,’ she rejoined. ‘I’ve knocked this poor beast about enough to-day; suppose we go back, uncle.’

On entering the house the two girls excused themselves, and retired to Lesbia’s bedroom; the vicar did his part by saying,—

‘I’m going to be unceremonious with you, Miss Dimpleton, I have business that may keep me half-an-hour or more; do you think now that if I were to leave you two