All turned at the sound of her voice, and Dick answered: "Your sister and I, Cousin Syd.

Are you willing to take me for a brother ?" "You!" she exclaimed, "you, Cousin Dick?
Why, I never dreamed of such a thing! But I have no objection; no, not the least in the world--except that you'll be taking my sister away from me; I don't like that at all." "No, Coz, that is altogether a mistake," Dick hastened to say.

"I don't want to separate you and Maud, and you have only to come along with us to escape that.

You will find plenty of room and a warm welcome at Torriswood." "Thank you," she said; "but it's so sudden I can't realise it at all yet.

When did you make up your minds to get married ?" "Half an hour ago, perhaps; I forgot to look at my watch to take exact note of the time." "Oh! is that the way you do when you are taking note of a patient's pulse, or the time for administering a dose of medicine ?" But Dick was saved the trouble of replying, as relatives, older and younger, came crowding up to learn what was going on.
Chester and Frank were as much surprised as Sydney had been, but by no means displeased.