They strolled through the village together, but in the grounds of Vizard Court Fanny fairly gave them the slip. Severne saw his chance, and said, tenderly, “Did you hear what she said about a large house being best for lovers?”
“Yes, I heard her,” said Zoe, defensively; “but very likely she did not mean it. That young lady's words are air. She will say one thing one day and another the next.”
“I don't know. There is one thing every young lady's mind is made up about, and that is, whether it is to be love or money.”
“She was for both, if I remember,” said Zoe, still coldly.
“Because she is not in love.”
“Well, I really believe she is not—for once.”
“There, you see. She is in an unnatural condition.”
“For her, very.”
“So she is no judge. No; I should prefer Marks's cottage. The smaller the better; because then the woman I love could not ever be far from me.”
He lowered his voice, and drove the insidious words into her tender bosom. She began to tremble and heave, and defend herself feebly.