Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/71

 in a nasal monotone, ‘between divers sorts and conditions of persons here assembled. If any of you know any just cause or impediment why these parties, collectively, should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are now to declare it.’

‘Then I declare,’ said Lesbia, on the spur of the moment, ‘that two of them are male-factors, and therefore ineligible to the agapemone.’

‘Oh, indeed, that is the reason, is it? how very interesting!’ said Mr Bristley.

Rose gave a keen glance at Lesbia and her friend, and the Vicar of Dulham looked like anything rather than a country parson as he bowed ceremoniously to his niece, gently rubbing his hands over each other.

‘But, seriously,’ he resumed, recovering his ordinary manner, ‘I trust we may felicitate both you, Miss Dimpleton, and you, Mr Lockstable, on having at least explained away your occasional misunderstandings and become fast friends?’

‘Yes, we're all right, thanks, Bristley,’ answered Athelstan; ‘in fact, one needn’t beat round the bush. Miss Dimpleton has promised to think of no man but me when the time comes for her to choose a husband.’

‘That is what I hoped, and I congratulate you heartily.’

‘And I accept your good wishes with equal heartiness, Mr Bristley,’ said Rose. ‘But, Lesbia, dear, we’ve been very selfish, monopolising the drawing-room so long. How dull Letitia and you must have been, shut up together all this time, just that Mr Lockstable—I may call him Athelstan now—might discuss affairs with me!’

‘Not a bit, my dear Rose, I asssure you,’ answered Lesbia carelessly; ‘we’ve been discussing the question of reformed horseback for women, and we’ve settled to work together in it as soon as circumstances permit.’