`` Oh , yes , my dear , and I am glad for your sake -- very glad . You are sure you love him ? '' `` Yes , indeed , '' said Lina , with a little laugh , as if wondering how anyone could doubt it . Presently , Miss Madeline said in a shy voice , `` Lina , did -- did you ever receive a proposal of marriage from anybody besides Mr. Wylde ? '' Lina laughed roguishly . `` Why , yes , Auntie , ever so many . A dozen , at least . '' `` Oh , my dear ! '' cried Miss Madeline in a slightly shocked tone . `` But I did , really . Sometimes it was horrid and sometimes it was funny . It all depended on the man . Dear me , how red and uncomfortable most of them looked -- all but the fifth . He was so cool and business like that he almost surprised me into accepting him . '' `` And -- and what did you feel like , Lina ? '' `` Oh , frightened , mostly -- but I always wanted to laugh too . You must know how it is yourself , Auntie . What did you feel like when somebody proposed to you ? '' Miss Madeline flushed from chin to brow . `` Oh , Lina , '' she faltered as if she were confessing something very disgraceful , yet to which she was impelled by her strict truthfulness , `` I -- I -- never had a proposal in my life -- not one . ''
Lina opened her big brown eyes XXXXX amazement .
Madeline at fifth for in like of on to with