When she did, there
was consolation in every tone; and she took care to let drop that Lord
Uxmoor was going in a day or two. So he was, but he altered his mind, and
asked leave to stay.
Severne looked gloomy at this, and he became dejected. He was miserable,
and showed it, to see what Zoe would do. What she did was to get rather
bored by Uxmoor, and glance from Fanny to Severne. I believe Zoe only
meant, "Do pray say things to comfort him;" but Fanny read these gentle
glances _'a la_ Dover. She got hold of Severne one day, and said,
"What is the matter with you?"
"Of course you can't divine," said he, sarcastically.
"Oh yes, I can; and it is your own fault."
"My fault! That is a good joke. Did I invite this man with all his
advantages? That was Vizard's doing, who calls himself my friend."
"If it was not this one, it would be some other. Can you hope to keep Zoe
Vizard from being courted? Why, she is the beauty of the county! and her
brother not married. It is no use your making love by halves to her. She
will go to some man who is in earnest."
"And am I not in earnest?"
"Not so much as he is. You have known her four months, and never once
asked her to marry you.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389