'Untainted!' he answered solemnly; 'as spotless, I believe, as her beauty: and if you have seen her, you will allow that to be no small praise. She comes from a most respectable family in Wales, and has been married but a few months.'
'Married, my lord? my fair female Quixote assured me she was single.'
'No, poor thing! she was carried from the nursery to the altar, and, I fear, not very judiciously nor happily.'
'Dear!' cried Miss Dennel, 'i'n't she happy?'
'I never presume to judge,' answered his lordship, smiling; 'but she has always something melancholy in her air.'
'Pray how old is she?' said Miss Dennel.
'Eighteen.'
'Dear! and married?—La! I wonder what makes her unhappy!'
'Not a husband, certainly!' said Mrs. Arlbery, laughing, 'that is against all chance and probability.'
'Well, I'm resolved when I'm married myself, I won't be unhappy.'