"
"I do not despair," said Lady Firebrace. "The unequivocal
adhesion of the Duke of Fitz-Aquitaine is a great thing. It
gives us the northern division at a dissolution."
"That is to say in five years, my dear Lady Firebrace. The
country will be ruined before that."
"We shall see. Is it a settled thing between Lady Joan and Mr
Mountchesney?"
"Not the slightest foundation. Lady Joan is a most sensible
girl, as well as a most charming person and my dear friend.
She is not in a hurry to marry, and quite right. If indeed
Frederick were a little more steady--but nothing shall ever
induce me to consent to his marrying her, unless I thought he
was worthy of her."
"You are such a good mother," exclaimed Lady Firebrace, "and
such a good friend! I am glad to hear it is not true about Mr
Mountchesney."
"If you could only help me, my dear Lady Firebrace, to put an
end to that affair between Frederick and Lady Wallington. It
is so silly, and getting talked about; and in his heart too he
really loves Lady Joan; only he is scarcely aware of it
himself."
"We must manage it," said Lady Firebrace, with a look of
encouraging mystery.
"Do, my dear creature; speak to him; he is very much guided by
your opinion.
Pages:
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551