"Neither; a happy medium, quite the woman of the world though; exclusive in her choice of friends, but true as steel when she does care for one, gentle, kind and sympathetic."
"How is it she has not repeated the experiment matrimonial?"
"Well, I do not know; with me she invariably changed the subject, and I did not press it, for I fancied she loved her husband so well she had no heart left for another."
"'Tis all very well to love a husband, Colonel, but to be faithful to his corpse is unnatural, while men with beating hearts are above ground."
"True, and now about our own plans, how soon may I claim you, dearest, say this day week?"
It was just her wish, she would be nearer Trevalyon, while Delrose would be effectually shut out unless he consented to a friendly alliance, when he could aid her in forever separating the man she loved from the fascinating Miss Vernon.
"Is not a week from to-day too awfully soon, Colonel?"
"Not a day, dear; everyone is leaving town, we can take our trip together."
"When he will, he will; you may have your way, but I have a will too, my lord, which you will find out some day" she said with a hearty laugh, "for the present it is that we, during the week, say to-morrow, take a run down to Surrey and your place. I can then see what changes I shall make, and everything can be in readiness for us by November."
"Delightful! how I wish Lady Esmondet and my niece, Vaura Vernon, were here to come with us."