"I was expecting you to call; and waited in, on purpose not to miss seeing you.

My daughter has told me,"-- she went on, taking the initiative, ere I had a chance to speak--cutting the ground from under my feet, as it were, and rendering my task each moment more arduous--"My daughter has told me that she and you were talking some nonsense together last night, which it is best for all parties, my dear Mr Lorton, should be at once forgotten! You'll agree with me, I'm sure ?" And she looked at me with a steady gaze of determination and set purpose in her eyes, before which I quailed.
"You will agree with me, I'm sure, Mr Lorton,"-- she repeated again, after a pause, as I was so bewildered by her flank attack that I could not get out a word at first.

I declare to you, I only sat looking at her in hopeless dismay, powerless--idiotic, in fact! "But I love Min, Mrs Clyde,"-- I stammered--"and she has promised--" "Dear me! This is quite delicious," laughed Mrs Clyde--a cold sneering laugh, which made me shiver as if cold water were running down my back--"quite a comedy, I do declare, Mr Lorton.

I did not think you were so good an actor.

Love! Ha, ha, ha!" and she gave forth a merry peal--to my intense enjoyment, you may be sure.
Oh, yes! I enjoyed it, without doubt:--it was dreadfully comical! "It is no laughing matter to me, Mrs Clyde," I replied at last, emboldened by her ridicule--"I love Min; and she has promised to marry me, if you will only give your consent, which I have come to ask to- day." I got up as I spoke, and faced her.
I was prepared to do battle till the death.