"For Vernon," Miss Eleanor emphasized.
"For Vernon Whitford, his cousin." said Miss Isabel, still more emphatically.
"Who," said Mrs. Mountstuart, with a sovereign lift and turn of her head, "speaks of a refusal?"
"I have it from Mr. Dale," said Lady Busshe.
"I had it, I thought, distinctly from Dr. Middleton," said Mr. Dale.
"That Willoughby proposed to Laetitia for his cousin Vernon, Doctor
Middleton meant," said Miss Eleanor.
Her sister followed: "Hence this really ridiculous misconception!—sad, indeed," she added, for balm to Mr. Dale.
"Willoughby was Vernon's proxy. His cousin, if not his first, is ever the second thought with him."
"But can we continue . . . ?"
"Such a discussion!"