I don't know on what pretext Osborne left the room, or why, presently, Amelia went away, perhaps to superintend the slicing of the pine-apple; but Jos was left alone with Rebecca, who had resumed her work, and the green silk and the shining needles were quivering rapidly under her white slender fingers.
"What a beautiful, BYOO-OOTIFUL song that was you sang last night, dear Miss Sharp," said the Collector.

"It made me cry almost; 'pon my honour it did." "Because you have a kind heart, Mr.Joseph; all the Sedleys have, I think." "It kept me awake last night, and I was trying to hum it this morning, in bed; I was, upon my honour.

Gollop, my doctor, came in at eleven (for I'm a sad invalid, you know, and see Gollop every day), and, 'gad! there I was, singing away like--a robin." "O you droll creature! Do let me hear you sing it." "Me?
No, you, Miss Sharp; my dear Miss Sharp, do sing it." "Not now, Mr.Sedley," said Rebecca, with a sigh.

"My spirits are not equal to it; besides, I must finish the purse.

Will you help me, Mr.Sedley ?" And before he had time to ask how, Mr.Joseph Sedley, of the East India Company's service, was actually seated tete-a-tete with a young lady, looking at her with a most killing expression; his arms stretched out before her in an imploring attitude, and his hands bound in a web of green silk, which she was unwinding.
In this romantic position Osborne and Amelia found the interesting pair, when they entered to announce that tiffin was ready.