“She moves a goddess,” said she. “But where are these paragons, Diana? Sure my Lord must go unwedded to his grave if he waits for this!”
“No, Madam. My Lord has not eyes to see and he will marry as most men marry and be the worse for it. ’Tis only such a woman could endure and temper his failings. Another were mad to attempt it.”
“I think, child, you say very true,” replied her hearer and fell into a musing. Presently—
“Diana, have you ever loved a man? What is love?”
“I know so little that my thought is not worth words.”
“Then you have thoughts?”
“Yes, Madam. Sure every woman must.”
They were both silent. Her Ladyship then resumed, not looking in the girl’s face.
“I heard the whole story, child, and with me ’tis safe. Dare I say that what touched me the most sensibly (next to your own sufferings) was my Lord Duke’s? Sure he spoke from his heart! He can do no other.”
“His Grace spoke on a very noble sensibility, Madam. ’Twas designed to comfort a poor distrest nearly-undone girl with the thought that she might still hold the respect of a man of honour. I took it no other. Your Ladyship will remember ’twas a scene very moving, and such draws words that overtop the more sober judgment.”