That very first Sunday, after evening meeting, he induced Fanny Miller,
at whose father's house he boarded, to introduce him to Madeline, and
afterward walked home with her, making himself very agreeable, and
crowning his audacity by asking permission to call. Fanny, who went along
with them, tattled of this, and it produced a considerable sensation
among the girls, for it was the wont of Newville wooers to make very
gradual approaches. Laura warmly expressed to Madeline her indignation at
the impudence of the proceeding, but that young lady was sure she did not
see any harm in it; whereupon Laura lost her temper a little, and hinted
that it might be more to her credit if she did. Madeline replied
pointedly, and the result was a little spat, from which Laura issued
second best, as people generally did who provoked a verbal strife with
Madeline. Meanwhile it was rumoured that Cordis had availed himself of
the permission that he had asked, and that he had, moreover, been seen
talking with her in the post-office several times.

The drug-store being next door to the post-office, it was easy for him,
under pretence of calling for the mail, to waylay there any one he might
wish to meet. The last of the week Fanny Miller gave a little tea-party,
to make Cordis more generally acquainted. On that occasion he singled out
Madeline with his attentions in such a pronounced manner that the other
girls were somewhat piqued. Laura, having her brother's interest at
heart, had much more serious reasons for being uneasy at the look of
things. They all remarked how queerly Madeline acted that evening. She
was so subdued and quiet, not a bit like herself. When the party broke
up, Cordis walked home with Madeline and Laura, whose paths lay together.

"I'm extremely fortunate," said he, as he was walking on with Laura, after
leaving Madeline at her house, "to have a chance to escort the two belles
of Newville at once."