“No; that is rather a drawback. I never want companions in the country.”
“True; I should have remembered that you differ from young ladies in general, and make companions of books. They are always more conversable in the country than they are in town; or rather, we listen there to them with less distracted attention. Ha! do I not recognize yonder the fair whiskers of George Belvoir? Who is the lady leaning on his arm?”
“Don’t you know?—Lady Emily Belvoir, his wife.”
“Ah! I was told that he had married. The lady is handsome. She will become the family diamonds. Does she read Blue-books?”
“I will ask her if you wish.”
“Nay, it is scarcely worth while. During my rambles abroad I saw but few English newspapers. I did, however, learn that George had won his election. Has he yet spoken in Parliament?”
“Yes; he moved the answer to the Address this session, and was much complimented on the excellent tone and taste of his speech. He spoke again a few weeks afterwards, I fear not so successfully.”
“Coughed down?”
“Something like it.”
“Do him good; he will recover the cough, and fulfil my prophecy of his success.”