Laurie smiled , but he liked the spirit with which she took up a new purpose when a long-cherished one died , and spent no time lamenting . `` Good ! And here is where Fred Vaughn comes in , I fancy . '' Amy preserved a discreet silence , but there was a conscious look in her downcast face that made Laurie sit up and say gravely , `` Now I 'm going to play brother , and ask questions . May I ? '' `` I do n't promise to answer . '' `` Your face will , if your tongue wo n't . You are n't woman of the world enough yet to hide your feelings , my dear . I heard rumors about Fred and you last year , and it 's my private opinion that if he had not been called home so suddenly and detained so long , something would have come of it , hey ? '' `` That 's not for me to say , '' was Amy 's grim reply , but her lips would smile , and there was a traitorous sparkle of the eye which betrayed that she knew her power and enjoyed the knowledge . `` You are not engaged , I hope ? '' and Laurie looked very elder-brotherly and grave all of a sudden . `` No . '' `` But you will be , if he comes back and goes properly down on his knees , wo n't you ? '' `` Very likely . '' `` Then you are fond of old Fred ? '' `` I could be , if I tried . '' `` But you do n't intend to try till the proper moment ? Bless my soul , what unearthly prudence ! He 's a good fellow , Amy , but not the man I fancied you 'd like . ''
`` He is rich , a gentleman , and has delightful manners , '' began XXXXX , trying to be quite cool and dignified , but feeling a little ashamed of herself , in spite of the sincerity of her intentions .
Amy Fred Laurie Vaughn feelings home knees lips questions year