How very ungallant you are! I will set you an example--a merry Christmas, Mr Lorton!" "A thousand to you, Miss Clyde; and each happier than the last!" I said.
"Oh dear, dear!" she exclaimed in mimic dismay; "I am sure I would not care about having so many as that! Fancy a thousand Christmases--why, what an old, old woman I should be then!" "And a very nice old woman, too," said I.
"Merci pour le compliment, Monsieur," she replied, making me an elaborate curtsey and laughing merrily.

"And what have you got there ?" she asked, pointing to a little bunch of violets that I was extracting from my overcoat pocket, and which I had procured for her when Catch met his friend the gardener's dog.
"I got them for you, Miss Clyde," said I, somewhat bashfully; "and-- and--" "Oh, _thank_ you, Mr Lorton," she said, quite pleased.

"I love violets more than any other flower.

You could not have given me a nicer present.

I was only wishing for some just now.