“No, for I knew nothing of such matters.” Olivia sighed, and relapsed into a mood of dejection. “But it is all to no avail! Mama would never give her consent.”
“You must love my cousin very much!” Kitty said. “Oh, dear, I wish—But that’s to no purpose! Do you think, if Camille were to engage upon some respectable occupation —? No, I suppose it would not answer.”
“Oh, no, for how should he succeed? He was bred to his profession, you see, and you must perceive that with his air and address, and his great skill, it is the very thing for him! Moreover, it is very romantic to be for ever pitting one’s wits against everyone, and I could not endure it if I were to be the means of thrusting him into some occupation which he would think a dead bore! I must put him out of my thoughts, though of course I never shall, for how shocking it would be if I were to ruin his whole career! Besides,” added Olivia, on a sob, “it is out of the question that I should be able to do so! Mama says I must make up my mind to it to accept Sir Henry, if he should be so obliging as to offer for me!”
They had turned, by this time, and were retracing their steps. “That,” said Kitty decidedly, “you must never do! My poor Olivia, it is the most shocking coil, and I don’t know what to say, except that it would be quite wicked of you to marry that odious old man!”
“Indeed, I would much rather die!” Olivia said earnestly. “The very thought of it casts me into such despair that I am sure it would be better for me to be dead! But Mama says that he cannot live for ever, and in the meantime I may have as many lovers as I please, provided only that I am discreet. But I do not want many lovers!”
“Good God, I should hope not!” exclaimed Kitty.
“I shall never love anyone but my Camille!” said Olivia, showing an alarming tendency to dissolve into tears.
“For heavens’ sake, Olivia, don’t start to cry!” begged Kitty. “Recollect, it is not in your Mama’s power to force you into a distasteful marriage! Oh, if only I could see what was best to be done, but I am wholly at a loss!”
“Oh, Miss Charing, will you help me?”
“Yes, yes, to the utmost of my power, but it is all such a dreadful tangle—Olivia, pray dry your eyes! We are approaching the library!”