The only form recognised by convention is marriage!" Sir Nathaniel smiled in a fatherly way.
"To marry, a husband is required.

And that husband should be you." "Yes, yes." "And the marriage should be immediate and secret--or, at least, not spoken of outside ourselves.

Would the young lady be agreeable to that proceeding ?" "I do not know, sir!" "Then how are we to proceed ?" "I suppose that we--or one of us--must ask her." "Is this a sudden idea, Adam, a sudden resolution ?" "A sudden resolution, sir, but not a sudden idea.

If she agrees, all is well and good.

The sequence is obvious." "And it is to be kept a secret amongst ourselves ?" "I want no secret, sir, except for Mimi's good.