"No wonder at all," said Percy, who was evidently in the middle of some amorous speech; "you are the goddess of my idolatry."
"What ardent expressions you do use!" said Julia, smiling.
"Of c-course I do; I'm over head and ears in love."
Julia surveyed his proportions, and said, "That's not very deep."
But Percy had got used to this kind of wit, and did not mind it now. He replied with dignity: "It's as deep--as the ocean, and as imp-per-t-t-tur-bable. Confound it! there's your cousin."
"You are not jealous of him, Mr. Imperturbable, are you?" asked Julia, slyly.
"Jealous?" said Percy, changing color rather suspiciously; "certainly not. Hang him!"
Walter, finding he was discovered, and feeling himself in the way, came out at the back behind them, and said, "Never mind me, you two; far be it from me to deprive the young of their innocent amusements."
Whilst making this little speech he was going off on the points of his toes, intending to slip off to Clifford Hall, and tell his father that both cutting out and untying had proved impossible, but, to his horror, the Colonel emerged from his ambuscade and collared him. Then took place two short contemporaneous dialogues:
_Julia_. "I'd never marry a jealous man."
_Percy_. "I never could be jealous. I'm above it. Impossible for a nature like mine to be jealous."
_Colonel Clifford._ "Well, why don't you cut him out?"
_Walter_. "They seem so happy without it."
_Colonel Clifford._ "You are a muff. I'll do it for you. Forward!"
Colonel Clifford then marched down and seated himself in the chair Hope had made for him.
Julia saw him, and whispered Percy: "Ah! here's Uncle Clifford. He is going to marry me to Walter. Never mind--you are not jealous."
"Well," said Colonel Clifford to all whom it might concern, "this certainly is the most comfortable chair in England. These fools of upholsterers never make the bottom of the chair long enough, but Mr. Hope has made this to run under a gentleman's knees and support him. He's a clever fellow. Julia, my dear, there's a garden chair for you; come and sit down by me."
Julia gave a sly look at Percy, and went to Colonel Clifford. She kissed him on the forehead to soften the coming negative, and said: "To tell you the truth, dear uncle, I have promised to go down a coal mine. See! I'm dressed accordingly."