There was a momentary pause, and Miss Dacre spoke.
‘I like his brother steward, Bertha. Sir Lucius is witty and candid. It is an agreeable thing to see a man who had been so gay, and who has had so many temptations to be gay, turn into a regular domestic character, without losing any of those qualities which made him an ornament to society. When men of the world terminate their career as prudently as Sir Lucius, I observe that they are always amusing companions, because they are perfectly unaffected.’
‘No one is more unaffected than Lucius Grafton. I am quite happy to find you like him; for he is an old friend of mine, and I know that he has a good heart.’
‘I like him especially because he likes you.’
‘Dearest!’
‘He introduced me to Lady Afy. I perceive that she is very attached to her husband.’
‘Lady Afy is a charming woman. I know no woman so truly elegant as Lady Afy. The young Duke, you know they say, greatly admires Lady Afy.’
‘Oh! does he? Well now, I should have thought her rather a sentimental and serious donna; one very unlikely———’
‘Hush! here come two cavaliers.’
The Dukes of Burlington and St. James advanced.