Whether it was all nonsensical merriment, or whether the author of laughter without fun, Beelzebub himself, was at the moment stirring in her, Hesper could not have told; as it was, she sat staring after her, unable even to think.
Just as she reached the door, however, she turned quickly, and, with the smile of a hearty, innocent child, or something very like it, ran back to Hesper, threw her arms round her, and said: "There, now! I've done for you what I could: I have made you forget the odious man for a moment.

I was curious to know whether I could not make a bride forget her bridegroom.

The other thing is too easy." "What other thing ?" "To make a bridegroom forget his bride, of course, you silly child!--But there I am, off again! when really it is time to be serious, and come to the only important point in the matter .-- In what shade of purity do you think of ascending the funeral pyre ?--In absolute white ?--or rose-tinged ?--or cream-colored!--or gold-suspect ?--Eh, happy bride ?" As she ceased, she turned her head away, pulled out her handkerchief, and whimpered a little.
"Sepia!" said Hesper, annoyed, "you are a worse goose than I thought you! What have _you_ got to cry about?
_You_ have not got to marry him!" "No; I wish I had!" returned Sepia, wiping her eyes.

"Then I shouldn't lose you.

I should take care of that." "And am I likely to gain such a friend in Mr.Redmain as to afford the loss of the only _other_ friend I have ?" said Hesper, calmly.
"Ah, Hesper! a sad experience has taught me differently, The moment you are married to the man--as married you will be--you all are--bluster as you may--that moment you will begin to change into a wife--a domesticated animal, that is--a tame tabby.