'Of two evils choose the least, they say,' observed Mr. Hautaine. 'Poor Ponsonby could not help himself.'
'That's a very polite observation of yours, Mr. Hautaine—I thank you in the name of the sex,' replied Cecilia Ossulton.
'Nay, Miss Ossulton; would you like to marry a person whom you never saw?'
'Most certainly not; but when you mentioned the two evils, Mr. Hautaine, I appeal to your honour, did you not refer to marriage or beggary?'
'I must confess it, Miss Ossulton; but it is hardly fair to call on my honour to get me into a scrape.'
'I only wish that the offer had been made to me,' observed Vaughan; 'I should not have hesitated as Ponsonby did.'
'Then I beg you will not think of proposing for me,' said Mrs. Lascelles, laughing; for Mr. Vaughan had been excessively attentive.
'It appears to me, Vaughan,' observed Seagrove, 'that you have slightly committed yourself by that remark.'
Vaughan, who thought so too, replied, 'Mrs. Lascelles must be aware that I was only joking.'
'Fie! Mr. Vaughan,' cried Cecilia Ossulton; 'you know it came from your heart.'