'Why, Emma!' cried the major, 'who should have thought it? I verily believe you have turned Mordaunt's head;—I protest that he kissed your hand:—I suppose he will be here to-morrow, making proposals in form.'
'I wish he may!' exclaimed Mrs Douglas.
'It is not very likely, I think,' cried Miss Maynard.
Mrs Wallington said nothing; but she fanned herself violently.
'How do you know that?' said Maynard. 'He kissed your hand very tenderly—did he not, Miss Douglas? and took advantage of the dark hour: that looks very lover-like.'
Emma Douglas, who, in spite of her reason, was both embarrassed and flattered by Colonel Mordaunt's unexpected mode of taking leave, said not a word; but Mrs Wallington, in a voice hoarse with angry emotion, cried:
'It was very free in him, I think, and very unlike Colonel Mordaunt; for he was not a sort of man to take liberties but where he met with encouragement.'
'Then I am sure he would be free with you, sister, sometimes,' sarcastically observed Miss Maynard.
'Nay, with both of you, I think,' replied Maynard, who had not forgiven the laugh at his expense which they had tried to excite; on which an angry dialogue took place between the brother and sisters: and the Douglases, disgusted and provoked, retired to their apartment.
'There was something very strange and uncommon,' said Mrs Douglas, detaining Emma in her dressing-room, 'in Colonel Mordaunt's behaviour—Do you not think so, Emma?—If it should have any meaning!'