Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/274

272 brandy during a gale, and seeing to the safety of a bandbox, Signor Giulio was rather a favourite. As to Mr. Higgs, he hated all those foreigneering people. "A pretty time this is to come in to breakfast. The muffins are quite cold, I can tell you, Miss Higgs." "Not Miss Higgs, but the Countess di Castelli," said Giulio, stepping gracefully forward.

The Countess took out her handkerchief. "Our felicity asks but the paternal blessing to make it complete. Kneel, my Amelia." "Lord, father, don't be angry, and begin to swear; but I've been and got married this morning." "Not to that damned jackanapes of a Frenchman," cried the father. "Married, and got never no wedding clothes!" said the mother. "I'll lock you up on bread and water for a year," said Mr. Higgs. "To think of you going and getting married before your eldest sister. But you never had no manners," said Mrs. Higgs.

"Miss Biddy's in for it now," whispered Jack.