"Like to be married, aunt?--I--I--I think I should." "When, then--when a man, who is perhaps rather too bluff and tradesman-like in his ways, but who loves very dearly, and is a thoroughly true honest gentleman at heart, asked me to be his wife, I think I should say _Yes_." She was a good obedient girl, this Naomi, and most ready to obey her aunt and take her advice. So thoroughly did she act upon it, that the very next day, Saxby charged into the room where Aunt Sophia was writing a letter, caught her hands in his and kissed them, crying in the most exultant manner: "She's said it--she's said it!" "What! has she refused you, Saxby?" said Aunt Sophia quietly. "Refused me? No. Said _Yes_, my dear madam. Isn't it wonderful?" "Well, I don't know," replied Aunt Sophia. "Do you think so?" "That I do," said Saxby. "Oh, I am proud, Miss Raleigh, I am indeed; for though I'm an awfully big man on 'Change--away from Capel Court and my office, no one knows better than I do what a humbug I am." "Don't be a goose, Saxby," said Aunt Sophia severely. "There; you see you make use of such bad language that it is catching. Humbug, indeed! Look here, don't you say such nasty things again. If I had not known you to be a very good true gentleman at heart, do you think I should have encouraged your attentions as I have? Don't, say any more. She's a dear girl, Saxby; and I am very glad for both your sakes that it is to be a match." "Oh, thank you!" he cried. "But mind this, Saxby; if ever you neglect or ill-use her--" "If ever I neglect or ill-use her!" cried Saxby. "Well, well, I know you will not. And now, listen, Saxby. I mean to give Naomi for her dowry--" "Nothing at all, my dear madam," cried the stockbroker, interrupting her. "I've plenty of money for both of us--heaps; and as for yours," he said, with a merry twinkle in his eye, "keep it for making investments, so that we can have a few squabbles now and then about shares." "Now," said Aunt Sophia, "I daresay it is very wicked; but if I could see my dear Doctor Scales made as happy as Saxby, I should like it very much indeed.--What do you think, Kate? Can I do anything about him and Lady Martlett?" "No, aunt; I think not," said Lady Scarlett. "And yet it seems to be a pity, for I am sure they are very fond of each other." "It's their nasty unpleasant pride keeps them apart," said Aunt Sophia. "Anna Martlett is as proud as Lucifer; and Scales is as proud as--as--as the box." For Aunt Sophia was at a loss for a simile, and this was the only word that suggested itself. "Let them alone," said Lady Scarlett. "Matters may come right after all." "But it's so stupid of him," cried Aunt Sophia. "Hang the man! What does he want? She can't help having a title and being rich. Why, she's dying for him." "But she sets a barrier between them, every time they meet," said Lady Scarlett.