"Then it must be true."
"You won't tell though?"
"Oh dear no, trust me!"
After her dance Louisa, so called after one of the ladies Lennox, made her father her confidant, under the same promise of secrecy.
"I always imagined there was something between them," said her father; "I must tell the Duke our cousin."
"Oh! papa, you promised."
"Nonsense, love—it is safe with the Duke, as it is with me!"
In this way the news was quickly spread, and by-and-by every one knew it under promise of secrecy.
"Well, John, are you come to claim me for this dance?" said Lady Florence to her brother.
"To the devil with dancing, but, Florence, don't be angry, love," he said, in a milder tone, fearing he should frighten her into silence, "but, Florence, have you heard the news?"