"Why, yes, Lord Fawn," said Lady Glencora, whom nothing could abash;—"most interesting. You see, dear Lady Eustace is so very popular, that we all want to know what is to be her fate."
"I regret to say that I cannot answer your ladyship's question with any precision," said Lord Fawn.
But the Hittaway persecution was by far the worst. "You have seen her, Frederic?" said his sister.
"Yes,—I have."
"You have made her no promise?"
"My dear Clara, this is a matter in which I must use my own judgment."
"But the family, Frederic?"
"I do not think that any member of our family has a just right to complain of my conduct since I have had the honour of being its head. I have endeavoured so to live that my actions should encounter no private or public censure. If I fail to meet with your approbation, I shall grieve; but I cannot on that account act otherwise than in accordance with my own judgment."
Mrs. Hittaway knew her brother well, and was not afraid of him. "That's all very well; and I am sure you know, Frederic, how proud we all are of you. But this woman is a nasty, low, scheming, ill-conducted, dishonest little wretch; and if you make her your wife you'll be miserable all your life. Nothing would make me and Orlando so unhappy as to quarrel with you. But we know that it is so, and to the last minute I shall say so. Why don't you ask her to her face about that man down in Scotland?"
"My dear Clara, perhaps I know what to ask her and what not to ask her better than you can tell me."