“And poor Ned torn in two.”
“But Fanny, I am grieved to say, seems inclined to assist this young man with Zoe; that is, because it does not matter to her. She has other views—serious ones.”
“Serious! What? A nunnery? Then I pity my lady abbess.”
“Her views are plain enough to anybody but you.”
“Are they? Then make me as wise as my neighbors.”
“Well, then, she means to marry you.”
“What! Oh, come!—that is too good a joke!”
“It is sober earnest. Ask Zoe—ask your friend, Mr. Severne—ask the chambermaids—ask any creature with an eye in its head. Oh, the blindness of you men!”
The Misogyn was struck dumb. When he recovered, it was to repine at the lot of man.
“Even my own familiar cousin—once removed—in whom I trusted! I depute you to inform her that I think her adorable, and that matrimony is no longer a habit of mine. Set her on to poor Severne; he is a ladies' man, and 'the more the merrier' is his creed.”