Page:The Tragic Muse (London & New York, Macmillan & Co., 1890), Volume 3.djvu/165

Rh "I'm waiting for a word from her—she may change her mind."

Nick stared at his companion. "For you? Why, what have you proposed?"

"I've proposed marriage," said Peter in a strange voice.

"I say—!" Nick broke out; and at the same moment Peter's messenger squeezed through the press and stood before him.

"She has given me nothing, sir," the boy announced; "but she says I'm to say 'All right!'"

Nick marvelled a moment. "You've proposed through him?"

"Ay, and she accepts. Good-night!" Peter exclaimed; and, turning away, he bounded into a hansom. He said something to the driver through the roof, and Nick's eyes followed the cab as it started off. Nick was mystified, was even amused; especially when the youth in buttons, planted there and wondering too, remarked to him:

"Please, sir, he told me he'd give me a shilling, and he've forgot it."

"Oh, I can't pay you for that!" Nick laughed. He was vexed about the supper.