He deliberated a moment intently.
"What are you frowning at ?" Christina asked.
"There was another person," he answered, "the most important of all: the young girl to whom he is engaged." Christina stared a moment, raising her eyebrows.

"Ah, Mr.Hudson is engaged ?" she said, very simply.

"Is she pretty ?" "She is not called a beauty," said Rowland.

He meant to practice great brevity, but in a moment he added, "I have seen beauties, however, who pleased me less." "Ah, she pleases you, too?
Why don't they marry ?" "Roderick is waiting till he can afford to marry." Christina slowly put out her arm again and looked at the dimple in her elbow.

"Ah, he 's engaged ?" she repeated in the same tone.