“I should like it first-rate, if Mr. Barnum would engage me,” said the General. “I thought you said the other day you had money enough and were tired of traveling,” Lavinia said, slyly teasing him. “That depends upon my company while traveling,” said the General, gallant and bold. “You might not find my company very agreeable,” suggested Lavinia. “I would be glad to risk it,” said the General. “Well, perhaps Mr. Barnum would engage you if you asked him.” “Would you really like to have me go?” the General asked, as he insinuated his arm around the back of the chair. He did not dare to touch her yet. “Of course I would,” she said gently. The General’s arm boldly encircled her small waist, and he turned her towards him. “Don’t you think it would be nicer if we went as man and wife?” Lavinia was surprised, and she removed the General’s arm. When questioned further, she said that she did think it was all very sudden, but the General did not agree with her. He finally argued away her doubts with a kiss, and she consented to marry him if her mother granted permission. A few minutes later a carriage drove up, and the bell rang. Commodore Nutt entered. “You here, General?” he asked gruffly. “Yes,” Lavinia answered for him. “Mr. Barnum asked him to stay the night, and we were waiting for you.” “Where is Mr. Barnum?” asked the Commodore. “He has gone to bed, but a supper has been prepared for you,” Tom Thumb said. “I am not hungry, thank you,” said the Commodore brusquely. “What room does Mr. Barnum sleep in?” He was told, and he went up to see Barnum, who was reading in bed. “Mr. Barnum,” the Commodore asked, “does Tom Thumb _board_ here?” “No,” said Barnum. “Tom Thumb does not _board_ here. I invited him to stop over night, so don’t be foolish, but go to bed.” “Oh, it’s no affair of mine; I don’t care anything about it. Only I thought he’d taken up his residence here.” And he went off to bed, but not to sleep. Ten minutes later Tom Thumb rushed into Barnum’s room. “We’re engaged, Mr. Barnum! We’re engaged! What do you think of that!” “Is that possible?” asked Barnum. “Yes, sir, indeed it is, but you mustn’t mention it. We’ve agreed to tell no one, so don’t say a word. I’m going to ask her mother’s consent Tuesday.”[17] The next day, Sunday, Lavinia said nothing about the event of Saturday night. She treated Commodore Nutt with her usual cordiality, and as General Tom Thumb went home early in the morning, the Commodore was once more in good humor, for, although he was suspicious, he was still uncertain of the exact extent of the General’s progress. On Sunday evening the General had a short conversation with Lavinia, and that night Lavinia and the Commodore went back to New York together. There is no report of their conversation on the train.