 him and our niece without our
knowledge. That no project whatever shall be entertained with regard to our
niece, without being first submitted to us -«
    »To you, sister Lavinia,« Miss Clarissa interposed.
    »Be it so, Clarissa!« assented Miss Lavinia resignedly - »to me - and
receiving our concurrence. We must make this a most express and serious
stipulation, not to be broken on any account. We wished Mr. Copperfield to be
accompanied by some confidential friend to-day,« with an inclination of her head
towards Traddles, who bowed, »in order that there might be no doubt or
misconception on this subject. If Mr. Copperfield, or if you, Mr. Traddles, feel
the least scruple, in giving this promise, I beg you to take time to consider
it.«
    I exclaimed, in a state of high ecstatic fervour, that not a moment's
consideration could be necessary. I bound myself by the required promise, in a
most impassioned manner; called upon Traddles to witness it; and denounced
myself as the most atrocious of characters if I ever swerved from it in the
least degree.
    »Stay!« said Miss Lavinia, holding up her hand; »we resolved, before we had
the pleasure of receiving you two gentlemen, to leave you alone for a quarter of
an hour, to consider this point. You will allow us to retire.«
    It was in vain for me to say that no consideration was necessary. They
persisted in withdrawing for the specified time. Accordingly, these little birds
hopped out with great dignity; leaving me to receive the congratulations of
Traddles, and to feel as if I were translated to regions of exquisite happiness.
Exactly at the expiration of the quarter of an hour, they reappeared with no
less dignity than they had disappeared. They had gone rustling away as if their
little dresses were made of autumn-leaves: and they came rustling back, in like
manner.
    I then bound myself once more to the prescribed conditions.
    »Sister Clarissa,« said Miss Lavinia, »the rest is with you.«
    Miss Clarissa, unfolding her arms for the first time, took the notes and
glanced at them.
    »We shall be happy,« said Miss Clarissa, »to see Mr. Copperfield to dinner,
every Sunday, if it should suit his convenience. Our hour is three.«
    I bowed.
    »In the course of the week,« said Miss Clarissa, »we shall be happy to see
Mr. Copperfield to tea. Our hour is half-past six
