“I am sorry to tell you, George, that Elizabeth is to marry cousin Fontaine. The engagement is formally made and sanctioned.”
“I am very sorry. It is a great disappointment to me.”
“You were too dilatory. I advised you to speak to Elizabeth some months ago.”
“I tried to do so, but it was impossible to say pretty things to her. I felt abashed if I tried to compliment her, and she always appeared so unconscious of a fellow, that it was depressing.”
“Well, it is too late now.”
“How do you know that? When Mr. Fontaine has gone—”
“It will not make a particle of difference, George; let me tell you that. Elizabeth will be true to him, if she never sees him again. I know her, you do not.”
“What is to be done, then?”
“I was thinking of Selina Digby.”
“O you know she is not pretty at all!”