'He's not of much account,' said the baronet.
'He would marry me out and out immediately, if I'd have him,' continued Ruby, who perhaps thought that her honest old lover should not be spoken of as being altogether of no account. 'And he has everything comfortable in the way of furniture, and all that. And they do say he's ever so much money in the bank. But I detest him,' said Ruby, shaking her pretty head, and inclining herself towards her aristocratic lover's shoulder.
This took place in the back parlour, before Mrs Pipkin had ascended from the kitchen prepared to disturb so much romantic bliss with wretched references to the cold outer world. 'Well, now, Sir Felix,' she began, 'if things is square, of course you're welcome to see my niece.'
'And what if they're round, Mrs Pipkin?' said the gallant, careless, sparkling Lothario.
'Well, or round either, so long as they're honest.'
'Ruby and I are both honest;--ain't we, Ruby? I want to take her out to dinner, Mrs Pipkin. She shall be back before late;--before ten; she shall indeed.' Ruby inclined herself still more closely towards his shoulder. 'Come, Ruby, get your hat and change your dress, and we'll be off. I've ever so many things to tell you.'
Ever so many things to tell her! They must be to fix a day for the marriage, and to let her know where they were to live, and to settle what dress she should wear,--and perhaps to give her the money to go and buy it! Ever so many things to tell her! She looked up into Mrs Pipkin's face with imploring eyes. Surely on such an occasion as this an aunt would not expect that her niece should be a prisoner and a slave. 'Have it been put in writing, Sir Felix Carbury?' demanded Mrs Pipkin with cruel gravity. Mrs Hurtle had given it as her decided opinion that Sir Felix would not really mean to marry Ruby Ruggles unless he showed himself willing to do so with all the formality of a written contract.
'Writing be bothered,' said Sir Felix.
'That's all very well, Sir Felix. Writing do bother, very often. But when a gentleman has intentions, a bit of writing shows it plainer nor words. Ruby don't go nowhere to dine unless you puts it into writing.'
'Aunt Pipkin!' exclaimed the wretched Ruby.
'What do you think I'm going to do with her?' asked Sir Felix.
'If you want to make her your wife, put it in writing. And if it be as you don't, just say so, and walk away,--free.'