made him half deaf to his importunate companion, Anxiety.
'Dunsey will be coming home soon: there will be a great blow-up, and how will you bribe his spite to silence?' said Anxiety.
'O, he won't come home before New Year's Eve, perhaps,' said Godfrey; 'and I shall sit by Nancy then, and dance with her, and get a kind look from her in spite of herself.'
'But money is wanted in another quarter,' said Anxiety, in a louder voice, 'and how will you get it without selling your mother's diamond pin? And if you don't get it . . .?'
'Well, but something may happen to make things easier. At any rate, there's one pleasure for me close at hand: Nancy is coming.'
'Yes, and suppose your father should bring matters to a pass that will oblige you to decline marrying her—and to give your reasons?'
'Hold your tongue, and don't worry me. I can see Nancy's eyes, just as they will look at me, and feel her hand in mine already.'
But Anxiety went on, though in noisy Christmas company; refusing to be utterly quieted even by much drinking.
