‘Oh dear!’ Eleanor could not help saying; ‘are you fond of reading?’
‘Very, some sorts of reading. I like the stories in the Genteel Journal, and the poetry too. Have you read “The Earl’s Caprice”?’
‘No,’ said Eleanor, much interested, and wondering what further developments the conversation would take. ‘Is that a story?’
‘Yes, indeed, a most delightful one. It is running now in the Journal, and leaves off at such an exciting part. They always do.’
‘Who is the author?’
‘Miss Laura Loveday. Don’t you think her stories are very pretty?’
‘I’m afraid I am very ignorant, for I never heard of her before.’
‘You do surprise me. There’s lovely poetry in this paper too. Augustus Sprout writes a good deal for it. You will know his poetry, I daresay.’
‘I must plead guilty to having never heard of either him or his poems.’
‘Dear me, how odd! The Genteel Journal published a sketch of his life a little while ago. It was like a novel to read it.’