"I said nothing about his loving her. Men are not always fond of perfection. The angels may be too angelic for this world."
"He did love her."
"So I suppose;—or at any rate he thought that he did."
"He did love her, and I believe he loves her still."
"He has my leave to do so, Mrs. Burton."
Cecilia, though she was somewhat afraid of the task which she had undertaken, and was partly awed by Lady Ongar's style of beauty and demeanour, nevertheless felt that if she still hoped to do any good, she must speak the truth out at once. She must ask Lady Ongar whether she held herself to be engaged to Harry Clavering. If she did not do this, nothing could come of the present interview.
"You say that, Lady Ongar, but do you mean it?" she asked. "We have been told that you also are engaged to marry Mr. Clavering."
"Who has told you so?"
"We have heard it. I have heard it, and have been obliged to tell my sister that I had done so."
"And who told you? Did you hear it from Harry Clavering himself?"