“Indeed I am not going to be, my darling!” I assured her. “But, Dora, my love, if you will sometimes think⁠—not despondingly, you know; far from that!⁠—but if you will sometimes think⁠—just to encourage yourself⁠—that you are engaged to a poor man⁠—”

“Don’t, don’t! Pray don’t!” cried Dora. “It’s so very dreadful!”

“My soul, not at all!” said I, cheerfully. “If you will sometimes think of that, and look about now and then at your papa’s housekeeping, and endeavour to acquire a little habit⁠—of accounts, for instance⁠—”

Poor little Dora received this suggestion with something that was half a sob and half a scream.