"Good Heavens, and what shall we do?"
"What, indeed, would you do without me?" answered the Captain; "fear not—I am not empty of resources yet—we must change the plot a bit. I must speak to yonder Italian. But first I will make myself sure; I said I could read faces; see you my sister Florence? I see by her face she has a secret, and I will ferret it out by G—; were it Edith I had harder work!"
Just then Lady Florence, with Johnny for her partner, danced past them; she looked lovely as she whirled by, her fair hair floating in the breeze—her face flushed with the exertion—and her blue eyes sparkling with exuberance of joy.
"Promise you won't tell," said the fair girl to Johnny, "but Ellen is to be mistress of all these grounds. What do you think, Johnny, of having a sister a countess? But here comes John, you must find another partner; I promised to dance with him. Mind you don't tell any one, Johnny, mind your promise!"
Johnny went off and engaged Miss Lennox for the next dance.
"Promise not to tell Louisa," said he, "but my sister Ellen is to be a countess!"
"Nonsense, Johnny, how will she be one?"
"There is no nonsense about it; Lord Wentworth has proposed, and my sister has accepted him—that's how she will be a countess!"
"How do you know though?"
"Lady Florence told me!"