If he had a cause of regret at this blissful moment, it was that Miss Dora happened to be absent--Dora being the one whom he secretly hoped one day to call Mrs. David Sweeting, with whom he dreamt of taking stately walks, leading her like an empress through the village of Nunnely; and an empress she would have been, if size could make an empress. 
He only regretted that Miss Dora happened to be absent - Dora being the one whom he secretly hoped one day to call Mrs. David Sweeting.
