Miss Fishguard sighed. “How often one may be deceived in one’s fellow-creatures!” she observed. “When Mr. Penicuik was so obliging as to make known to me his intentions, I must own it was Mr. Jack whom I expected to see at Arnside, ahead of all!”
“I had no such expectation!” said Kitty. “Nor had I the smallest wish to see him here.”
Miss Fishguard looked timidly at her, for she sounded rather fierce. Encountering a dangerous sparkle in those big eyes, which met hers full, she said doubtfully: “I have sometimes wondered, my love . . .”
“You have wondered what, dear Fish?” prompted Kitty, with deceptive sweetness.
“Only that—Such a very handsome man, and of the first style of elegance! Air and address everything that they should be!” faltered Miss Fishguard. “And one cannot but recollect that it is he who has been most often at Arnside, after all!”
“Certainly, for he is quite Uncle Matthew’s favourite!” responded Kitty swiftly. “As for the rest, I believe that he is a very dashing blade, as Freddy would say! My dear Fish, has he added you to his many conquests? The most shocking flirt in town, I am persuaded! He does very well for—for one’s entertainment, but the female who receives his advances seriously will be destined, I fear, to sad disappointment! But do not let us be talking about such a rattle! The thing is, Fish, that Freddy is very desirous of presenting me to his parents, and means to carry me off to London almost immediately.”
“But, Kitty, you are already acquainted with dear Lady Legerwood!” objected Miss Fishguard. “And with Lord Legerwood too, for now I come to think of it, he accompanied her ladyship to Arnside, on the occasion of—”
“Yes, yes, but that is more than a year ago!” Kitty pointed out. “Lord Legerwood’s relations, too—I believe he has many, and you must know that I have never met them! Besides, there will be all my bride-clothes to order from the warehouses, and—and—You must perceive, Fish, that it will be proper for me to visit the Legerwoods!”
Miss Fishguard acknowledged it, but ventured to enquire who was to fill Kitty’s place at Arnside while she went away on this visit of duty.
“Why, you, to be sure!” declared Kitty, with a brilliant smile.