"Mr. Pole," (Lady Gosstre addressed that gentleman,) "I must hope that you will leave this dining-hall as it is; there is nothing in the neighbourhood to match it!"
"Delightful!" interposed Laura Tinley; "but is it settled?"
Mr. Pole leaned forward to her ladyship; and suddenly catching the sense of her words, "Ah, why not?" he said, and reached his hand to some champagne, which he raised to his mouth, but drank nothing of. Reflection appeared to tell him that his safety lay in drinking, and he drained the glass at a gulp. Mrs. Chump had it filled immediately, and explained to a wondering neighbour, "It's that that keeps 'm on his legs."
"We shall envy you immensely," said Laura Tinley to Arabella; who replied, "I assure you that no decision has been come to."
"Ah, you want to surprise us with cards on a sudden from Besworth!"
"That is not the surprise I have in store," returned Arabella sedately.
"Then you have a surprise? Do tell me."
"How true to her sex is the lady who seeks to turn 'what it is' into 'what it isn't!'" said Freshfield, trusty lieutenant.
"I think a little peeping makes surprises sweeter; I'm weak enough to think that," Lady Charlotte threw in.
"That is so true!" exclaimed Laura.