Altogether , an admirable woman for a sister-in-law . Nevertheless , a man did not want even the most admirable of women around when he was proposing to another woman . And Ellen was always around . She did not insist on talking to Mr. Meredith herself all the time . She let Rosemary have a fair share of him . Many evenings , indeed , Ellen effaced herself almost totally , sitting back in the corner with St. George in her lap , and letting Mr. Meredith and Rosemary talk and sing and read books together . Sometimes they quite forgot her presence . But if their conversation or choice of duets ever betrayed the least tendency to what Ellen considered philandering , Ellen promptly nipped that tendency in the bud and blotted Rosemary out for the rest of the evening . But not even the grimmest of amiable dragons can altogether prevent a certain subtle language of eye and smile and eloquent silence ; and so the minister 's courtship progressed after a fashion . But if it was ever to reach a climax that climax must come when Ellen was away . And Ellen was so seldom away , especially in winter . She found her own fireside the pleasantest place in the world , she vowed . Gadding had no attraction for her . She was fond of company but she wanted it at home . Mr. Meredith had almost been driven to the conclusion that he must write to Rosemary what he wanted to say , when Ellen casually announced one evening that she was going to a silver wedding next Saturday night . She had been bridesmaid when the principals were married . Only old guests were invited , so Rosemary was not included . Mr. Meredith pricked up his ears a trifle and a gleam flashed into his dreamy dark eyes . Both Ellen and Rosemary saw it ; and both Ellen and Rosemary felt , with a tingling shock , that Mr. Meredith would certainly come up the hill next Saturday night . `` Might as well have it over with , St. George , '' Ellen sternly told the black cat , after Mr. Meredith had gone home and Rosemary had silently gone upstairs .
`` He means XXXXX ask her , St. George -- I 'm perfectly sure of that .
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