"It wouldn't ruin him then," said I laughing. "Unless indeed, poor Fellow, as is like enough, 'twas palmed upon him for a real Stone. Well, _Prue_, is this what all the Sighing has been about? You needn't break your Heart, I think, at having accepted it of him." "Don't laugh, or you'll kill me," says _Prudence_, "it's no laughing Matter, I can tell you. It don't matter whether the Stone be real or false; but, in fact, it's a Wedding ... no, a Guard-Ring." "A _what_?" cried I. "Do say it over again!" But she was crying passionately. "What's this about Wedding and Guard-Rings, _Prue_? Do you mean to say you are _married_?" "Oh _Patty_! don't speak so unkindly--I can't bear it." "I don't mean to be unkind,"--and I kissed her. "But you rack me with Suspense. Do speak out! Are you, _can_ you be married to _Tom_?" "Whether or no, I'm engaged to him quite as irrevocably, I assure you, _Patty_." "You amaze and distress me beyond Measure," said I. "I knew you would be very angry with me," said she. "Angry? why should I be angry? There's no Reason why _Tom_ and you should not marry, if you like it, except his Profession, and his being unable to keep a Wife. Two serious Exceptions, I admit." "So serious, _Patty_, that I fear my _Father_ and _Mother_ would never overlook them--Oh! how angry my _Father_ would be! I should never hear the Last of it." "Well, he _would_ be angry, I dare say, but it would not be the first Time; and you generally bear his Rebukes pretty sturdily. If I were in love with _Tom_, I think I could stand that." "Do you indeed, dear _Patty_? Ah, but you don't know the Worst." "What _is_ the Worst, then?" cried I impatiently--"Say in a Word." But she could not speak it. "I can't make Head nor Tail of it," said I--"It seems such an unaccountable Business. I thought you cared for Mr. _Fenwick_." "Mr. _Fenwick_? Oh, _Patty_! how _could_ you be such a Goose?" "Well, _Prue_, I chanced to see him one Day holding you by the Hand at his Window, and talking very earnestly." "Why, he was talking about _Tom_, and advising me not to go to the Play!" "Was that it? Dear me!"