"She should have been here ten minutes ago.

I can't see what detains her." Richard looked bewildered and a little shocked.

"Surely," he began, "Dorothy didn't----" "No, no; you are not the victim of a plot, Sir Suspicious One!" cried Bess.

"It is a wonder that you are not, for your dullness surpasses belief.

Do you imagine Dorothy doesn't see you every time you walk this street?
that she hasn't seen you to-day?
that she didn't see you come in?
that she won't invent some pretext for running over?
Oh, foolish, foolish bridegroom! You may guess how foolish by peeping from the window, for here your Dorothy comes." At this, the benignant Bess, having questioned, advised, admonished, and, in a measure, berated Richard, gave him her hand, as if she would give him courage; and Richard, with the praiseworthy purpose of getting all the courage he could, lifted it to his lips.