‘I am quite bewildered.’
‘O mother! is she not beautiful? Do you not love her? Shall we not all be the happiest family in the world?’
‘I think we ought to be, dear Ferdinand. But I have not recovered from my astonishment. Ah, my child, why did you not tell me when you were ill?’
‘Is it not for the best that affairs should have taken the course they have done? But you must blame Kate as well as me; dear Kate!’
‘I think of her,’ said Lady Armine; ‘I hope Kate will be happy.’
‘She must be, dear mother; only think what an excellent person is Lord Montfort.’
‘He is indeed an excellent person,’ said Lady Armine; ‘but if I had been engaged to you, Ferdinand, and it ended by my marrying Lord Montfort, I should be very disappointed.’
‘The duchess would be of a different opinion,’ said Ferdinand.
Lady Bellair, who was sitting on a sofa opposite, and had hitherto been conversing with the duchess, who had now quitted her and joined the musicians, began shaking her fan at Ferdinand in a manner which signified her extreme desire that he should approach her.
‘Well, Lady Bellair,’ said Ferdinand, seating himself by her side.