‘Yes,’ said her brother; ‘I doubt whether all the O’Mores put together have ever made such a conquest as he has.’
‘It was fun to see how the aunts were dismayed to find one of the horde in full force here. I believe it was as a measure of precaution that they took Lucy away. I was very glad for Lucy to go, but hers was not exactly the danger.’
‘Ha!’ said Maurice; and Albinia blushed. Whereupon he said interrogatively, ‘Hem?’ which made her laugh so consciously that he added, ‘Don’t you go and be romantic about either of your young ladies, or there will be a general burning of fingers.’
‘If you knew all our secrets, Maurice, you would think me a model of prudence and forbearance.’
‘Ho!’ was his next interjection, ‘so much the worse. For my own part, I don’t expect prudence will come to you naturally till the little Awk has a lover.’
‘Won’t it come any other way?’
‘Yes, in one way,’ he said, gravely.
‘And that way is not easily found by those who have neither humility nor patience,’ she said, sadly, ‘who rush on their own will.’
‘Nay, Albinia, it is being sought, I do believe; and remember the lines—
“Thine own mild energy bestow,
And deepen while thou bidst it flow,
More calm our stream of love.”’