_Vide_
"Blackwood," _passim._
Mr. H. "I really think she would accept me if I offered to-day;
but I have so high an opinion of your sagacity and friendship for me,
madam, that I will defer my judgment to yours. I must, however, make
one condition, that you will not displace my plan without suggesting a
distinct course of action for me to adopt in its place."
This smooth proposal, made quietly but with twinkling eye, would have
shut the mouth of nine advisers in ten, but it found the Bazalgette
prepared.
"Oh, the pleasure of having a man of ability to deal with!" cried she,
with enthusiasm. "This is my advice, then: stay Mr. Fountain out. He
must go in a day or two. His time is up, and I will drop a hint of
fresh visitors expected. When he is gone, warm by degrees, and offer
yourself either in person, or through Bazalgette, or me."
"In person, then, certainly. Of all foibles, employing another pair of
eyes, another tongue, another person to make love for one is surely
the silliest."
"I am quite of your opinion," cried the lady, with a hearty laugh.
Mr. Fountain. "So you are satisfied with the state of things?"
Mr. Talboys. "Yes, I think I have beaten the sailor out of the
field."
"Well, but--this Hardie?"
"Hardie! a shopkeeper. I don't fear him."
"In that case, why not propose? I have been doing the
preliminaries--sounding your praises."
Mr. Talboys (tyrannically). "I propose next Saturday."
Mr. Fountain. "Very well.
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