'Oh, the poor dear! Why didn't she tell me that before? And I'd scolded her for ill-temper.' His humanity was as large as his fat, and although he had never thought of the joys of paternity, now, in the warmth of his sentiments, he melted into one feeling of rapture. After a pause, he said: 'I think I'd better go back and see her.' 'Yes, I think you'd better; fix a day for your marriage.' 'Of course.' Nothing further was said; each absorbed in different thoughts the two men retraced their steps, and when they arrived at the door, Montgomery said: 'I think I'd better wish you good-bye.' 'No, come in, old man; she'd like to see you.' And as if anxious to torture himself to the last, Montgomery entered. Kate was still locked in the bedroom, but there was such an unmistakable accent of trepidation and anxiety in Dick's fingers and voice that she opened immediately. Her beautiful black hair was undone, and fell in rich masses about her. Dick took her in his arms, and held her sobbing on his shoulder. All he could say was, 'Oh, my darling, I'm so sorry; you will forgive me, won't you?' XIX 'Well, what are you going to give her? Do you see anything you like here?' 'Do you think that paper-cutter would do?' 'You can't give anything more suitable, ma'am. Then there are these card-cases; nobody could fail to like them.' 'What are you going to give, Annie?' 'Oh, I'm going to give her the pair of earrings we saw yesterday; but if I were you I wouldn't spend more than half a sovereign: it's quite enough.' 'I should think so indeed--a third of a week's screw,' whispered Dolly, 'but she ain't a bad one, and Dick will like it, and may give me a line or so in _Olivette_. How do you think she'll do in the part?' 'We'll talk about that another time. Are you going to buy the paper-cutter?' Casting her eyes in despair around the walls of the fancy-goods shop to see if she could find anything she liked better, Dolly decided in favour of the paper-cutter and paid the money after a feeble attempt at bargaining. In the street they saw Mortimer, who had now allowed his hair to grow in long, snake-like curls completely over his shoulders. 'For goodness' sake come away,' cried Beaumont, 'I do hate speaking to him in the street, everybody stares so.' The girls turned to fly, but the heavy lead was upon them, and in his most nasal tones said: 'Well, my dear young ladies, engaged in the charming occupation of buying nuptial gifts?' 'How very sharp you are, Mr. Mortimer,' answered Dolly in her pertest manner; 'and what are you going to give? We should so much like to know.' After a moment's hesitation he said, throwing up his chin after the manner of a model sitting for a head of Christ: 'My dear young lady, you must not exhibit your curiosity in that way; it's not modest.' 'But do tell us, Mr. Mortimer; you're a person of such good taste.'