“Theresa, I must, I must request you not to talk in that odious way!” said Charlotte.
Horatia was looking at her cousin with interest. “Why do you say “only c-conceive of Rule paying his addresses to one”? I thought he was quite old.”
“Old?” said Mrs Maulfrey. “Rule? Nothing of the sort, my dear! Not a day above thirty-five, I’ll stake my reputation. And what a leg! What an air! The most engaging smile!”
“I c-call that old,” said Horatia calmly. “Edward is only t-twenty-two.”
There did not seem to be much to say after that. Mrs Maulfrey, perceiving that she had culled all the news that her cousins could at this present impart, began to think of taking her leave of them. Though sorry for Elizabeth’s evident distress at the magnificent prospect ahead of her, she could not in the least understand it, and considered that the sooner Lieutenant Heron was posted back to his regiment the better it would be. Therefore, when the door opened to admit a spare female of uncertain age, who informed Elizabeth with a flutter in her voice that Mr Heron was below and begged the favour of a word with her, she pursed her lips, and looked as disapproving as she could.
Elizabeth’s colour fluctuated, but she rose up from the sopha, and said quietly: “Thank you, Laney.”
Miss Lane seemed to share a little of Mrs Maulfrey’s disapproval. She regarded Elizabeth in a deprecating way, and suggested: “My dear Miss Winwood, do you think you should? Do you think your Mama would like it?”
Elizabeth replied with her gentle air of dignity: “I have Mama’s permission, dear Laney, to—to tell Mr Heron of the approaching change in my estate. Theresa, you won’t, I know, speak of Lord Rule’s obliging offer until—until it is formally announced.”
“Too noble creature!” Charlotte sighed, as the door closed softly behind Miss Winwood. “How very lowering it is to reflect upon the trials that afflict the Female Sex!”
“Edward is afflicted too,” said Horatia practically. Her penetrating eyes rested on her cousin. “Theresa, if you ch-chatter about this you will be sorry. Something must be d-done.”