The nose had not suffered, however, and Longears was soon appeased and in a good humor again. The incident caused a great accession of laughter, and after this the chestnuts having been eaten, the party rose to walk on.
"Oh, certainly! here it is, my darling--all ready."
And Mr. Ralph Ashley, between whom and Miss Fanny this dialogue had taken place, seated himself beneath a magnificent tulip-tree; and with a movement of the head suggested a similar proceeding to the rest.
All being seated, the young man drew from his breast-pocket a small volume, bound in leather, and with a nod to Fanny, said:
"I have changed my mind--I can't read but two or three."
Fanny had uttered the words without reflection--intending them as a reply to Mr. Ralph's sentence, the words "in advance," being omitted therefrom. Everybody saw her mistake at once, and a shout of laughter greeted the reply.
Ralph assumed a close and cautious expression, and said:
"Well--I will be more careful in future. The fact is, that people who are _to be_ married, should be as chary of their endearments, in public, as those who _are_ married."
General laughter and assent--except from Fanny, who was blushing.
"Nothing is more disagreeable," continued Ralph, philosophically, "than these public evidences of affection; it is positively shocking to see and hear two married people exchanging their 'dears' and 'dearests,' 'loves' and 'darlings'--especially to bachelors; it is really insulting! Therefore, it is equally in bad taste with those who _are to be_ married;--logically, consequently, and in the third place--and lastly--it is not proper, between myself and you, my Fanny--hum--Miss Fanny!"
This syllogistic discourse was received by Fanny with a mixture of blushes and satirical curls of the lip. "Hum!" more than once issued from her lips; and this expression always signified with the young lady in question--"indeed!"--"really!"--"you think that's mighty fine!"--or some other phrase indicative of scorn and defiance.
On the present occasion, after uttering a number of these "hums!" Fanny embodied her feelings in words, and replied:
"I think, Ralph, you are the most impudent gentleman I have ever known, and you wrong me. I wonder how you got such bad manners; at Williamsburg, I reckon. Hum! If you wait until _I_ marry you--!"