_Ablett._
[_In a low voice._] Shame!
_Mrs. Mossop._
[_Turning to him._] Mr. Ablett!
_Telfer._
A man--ah, but also a gentle-man. [_Applause._] A gentleman of probity,
a gentleman of honor, and a gentleman of wealth and station. That
gentleman, with the modesty of youth,--for I may tell you at once that
'e is not an old man,--comes to us and asks us to give him this gyirl
to wife. And, friends, we have done so. A few preliminaries 'ave, I
believe, still to be concluded between Mr. Gower and his family, and
then the bond will be signed, the compact entered upon, the mutual trust
accepted. Riches this youthful pair will possess--but what is gold? May
they be rich in each other's society, in each other's love! May they--I
can wish them no greater joy--be as happy in their married life as
my--my--as Miss Sylvester and I 'ave been in ours! [_Raising his
glass._] Miss Rose Trelawny--Mr. Arthur Gower! [_The toast is drunk by
the company, upstanding. Three cheers are called for by Colpoys, and
given. Those who have risen then sit._] Miss Trelawny.
_Rose._
[_Weeping._] No, no, Mr. Telfer.
_Mrs. Telfer._
[_To Telfer, softly._] Let her be for a minute, James.
_Telfer._
_Mr. Gower._
[_Arthur rises and is well received._]
_Arthur._
Ladies and gentlemen, I--I would I were endowed with Mr. Telfer's flow
of--of--of splendid eloquence. But I am no orator, no speaker, and
therefore cannot tell you how highly--how deeply I appreciate the--the
compliment----
_Ablett._
You deserve it, Mr. Glover!
_Mrs. Mossop._
Hush!
_Arthur._
All I can say is that I regard Miss Trelawny in the light of a--a
solemn charge, and I--I trust that, if ever I have the pleasure
of--of meeting--any of you again, I shall be able to render a
good--a--a--satisfactory--satisfactory---
_Tom._
[_In an audible whisper._] Account.
_Arthur._
Account of the way--of the way--in which I--in which----- [_Loud
applause._] Before I bring these observations to a conclusion, let me
assure you that it has been a great privilege to me to meet--to have
been thrown with--a band of artists--whose talents--whose striking
talents--whose talents----
_Tom._
[_Kindly, behind his hand._] Sit down.
_Arthur._
[_Helplessly._] Whose talents not only interest and instruct the--the
more refined residents of this district, but whose talents-
_Imogen._
[_Quietly to Colpoys._] Get him to sit down.
_Arthur._