"I say, my darling, she must not give way. I'll speak to her a little.
Is not he rather advanced in life?"

"Oh, Lord! no sir. Only two-and-thirty, my mistress tells me?"

"Two-and-thirty! Why I thought he was above sixty."

"Above sixty! Law! sir. You have a bright fancy. This is the
gentleman, ma'am. Now sir, I'll just slip aside for a moment, and let
you talk to her."

"I am grieved, ma'am, that I have not the happiness to make your
acquaintance under happier circumstances."

"I must confess, sir--though I am ashamed"--

"Never be ashamed, ma'am. Your grief, although, I trust causeless, does
you infinite honor."

"Upon my soul she is rather pretty," said the doctor to himself here.

"Well, sir! as I have the most perfect confidence in you, from all I have
heard of you, I trust you will not think me abrupt in saying that any
longer delay here is dangerous."

"Dangerous! Is he in so critical a state as that then?"

"Critical a state, sir! Why what do you mean?"