It might be a long time before people who were jolly good friends came to look upon each other from a marrying point of view.

Things ought to be hurried up; that Miss Bannister would be away for two weeks; she, La Fleur, would be here for two weeks.

She must try what she could do; the fire must be brightened,--the draught turned on, ashes raked out, kindling-wood thrust in if necessary, to make things hotter.

At all events the dinner-bell must ring at the appointed time, in a fortnight, less one day.
Ralph came striding across the lawn, and noticing La Fleur, approached her.
"I am glad to see you," he said, "for I want to tell you how much I enjoyed your beefsteak this morning.

One could not get anything better cooked than that at Delmonico's.