Cluhir said that it was a very nice engagement, and a great match;
there were not wanting those who said also that it was wonderful
promotion for that Tishy Mangan. A tactless ex-charwoman had even
referred to young Mr. Coppinger as being Miss Mangan's "up-raiser,"
and having enquired, with incredulity, of Mrs. Mangan ("and this
before a crowd in Egan's shop, if you please!" as Mrs. Mangan
reported) "Ma'am! are they in bonds?" she had so fervently thanked God
on hearing that such was the case, that Mrs. Mangan said she could
never enter Egan's again without she'd feel they were all laughing at
her!
Of the _fiance_ and of his frame of mind, what shall be said? He,
at all events, said as little to himself as was possible, but, in the
circumstances, it was no more than could be expected that a lively
fancy would not wholly be denied, and that occasional vagrant visions
would present themselves uninvited. He pictured to himself a meeting
with Christian, all in the clouds, of course; he told himself he had
no wish to meet her, nor, if he did, was he at all likely to discuss
the matter with her; still he thought that he would rather enjoy
telling her that he had acknowledged his engagement with Tishy, to
Tishy's father, in the very same words in which she, Christian, had
broken hers with him. They had somehow stuck in his head. He would
tell her that.
Pages:
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374