"O dear heart!" exclaimed the Lady Belinda, halting with slim foot daintily poised. "So many gentlemen—I vow 'tis pure! And discussing a toast, too! O Gemini! Dear sirs, what is't—relate!"
"I' faith, madam," cried Sir Benjamin, "we greet and commiserate another victim to your glorious niece's glowing charms, we salute our fellow-sufferer Major d'Arcy!"
The Major laughed a little uncertainly as he hastened to welcome his guests.
"Indeed," said he, "what man having eyes can fail to admire though from afar, and in all humility!"
At this, Lady Betty laughed also and meeting her roguish look he flushed and bent very low above the Lady Belinda's hand but conscious only of her who stood so near and who in turn sank down before him in gracious curtsey, down and down, looking up at him the while with smile a little malicious and eyes of laughing mockery ere she rose, all supple, joyous ease despite her frills and furbelows.
"Doth he suffer much, think you, gentlemen?" she enquired, turning towards the company yet with gaze upon the Major's placid face. "Burneth he with amorous fire, think you, wriggleth he on Cupid's dart?"
"O infallibly!" answered Sir Benjamin, "I'll warrant me, madam, he flameth inwardly——
"E'en as unhappy I!" sighed Sir Jasper Denholm.
"And I myself!" said the Captain, shooting a ruffle.
"O Gad!" exclaimed Viscount Merivale, "why leave out the rest of us?"