"
"What?"
"Of his relations with Miss Tarlingford."
"With Anna,--yes."
"What Anna? Who is Anna?"
"Dear me! my sister Anna. Don't be absurd!"
"But I never knew"----
"No,--you knew nothing of her; the worse for you! You avoided her,--I'm
sure I don't see why,--and she is retiring."
"_Retiring!_--the very word!"
"What word? You vex me; you puzzle me; take me down."
"Forgive me, dear Arabella! I'm too delighted to explain. I never will
explain. I thought it was you on whom Frank's affections were fixed."
"Dear, no! Frank is sensible; he knows better; he has judgment"; and
she laughed a quiet laugh, and made as if she would jump down.
As she descended, two heads caromed together with a click. It was the
irrepressible influence of the billiard atmosphere, I suppose. No one
contemplated it.
That evening, when Frank Lillivan arrived, I met him at the door.
"God bless you, Frank!" said I; "I forgive you everything. Say no
more."
"Hollo! what's up?" cried Frank.
"Well, certainly, it was a little imprudent for you to neglect writing
the whole address of the letter you sent to Anna Tarlingford.
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