‘The fine, tall, dark man, with the long moustaches, is in the house, and will be charmed to be presented to you.’
‘Ay, ay! presented is all very fine; but that won’t make him the bridegroom,’ said she, with a laugh.
‘I sincerely trust it will not, madam.’
‘And it is you, then, are Major Walpole?’
‘Mr. Walpole, madam—my friend Lockwood is the major.’
‘To be sure. I have it right now. You are the young man that got into that unhappy scrape, and got the Lord-Lieutenant turned away—’
‘I wonder how you endure this,’ burst out Nina, as she arose and walked angrily towards a window.
‘I don’t think I caught what the young lady said; but if it was, that what cannot be cured must be endured, it is true enough; and I suppose that they’ll get over your blunder as they have done many another.’
‘I live in that hope, madam.’
‘Not but it’s a bad beginning in public life; and a stupid mistake hangs long on a man’s memory. You’re young, however, and people are generous enough to believe it might be a youthful indiscretion.’