Kitty wrinkled her brow. “It is true that Lady Batterstown seems not to have been very kind to the Broughtys. One cannot but feel that had she but befriended Olivia the poor girl might have achieved a very creditable alliance, for you cannot deny, Freddy, that she is most beautiful!”
“That ain’t enough,” said the worldly-wise Mr. Standen.
“Well, but it seems as though sometimes it is!” argued Kitty. “Olivia has been telling me about the beautiful Miss Gunnings, who were no better connected than she is, and yet, when their Mama brought them to London, they took the town by storm, and one of them married two Dukes!”
“No, really, Kit!” protested Mr. Standen. “Doing it too brown! Couldn’t have!”
“But indeed she did! First she was married to the Duke of Hamilton, and when he died she married the Duke of Argyll!”
“Oh, when he died!” said Freddy, glad to have this point elucidated. “No reason why she shouldn’t. Not but what this little ladybird won’t marry a Duke, let alone a couple of ‘em. Well, I put it to you, Kit! I don’t know how it was when these Gunning-girls of yours were on the town, but the only Duke I can think of who hasn’t been married for years is Devonshire, and it’s not a bit of use laying lures for him, because it’s common knowledge he tried to fix his interest with the Princess Charlotte, and it ain’t likely he’d take Olivia Broughty instead!”
“Of course I don’t mean that she should marry a Duke!” replied Kitty. “Only it would be too dreadful if she was sold—for one can call it nothing else!—to such a creature as Sir Henry Gosford!” She saw that these words had made a profound impression, and said triumphantly: “You are shocked, but I assure you—”
“I should dashed well think I am shocked!” interrupted Freddy. “You aren’t going to tell me that fellow visits Meg?”
“No, of course not—”
“Then where the deuce did you meet him?”