"You have confounded them, Lady Anna."
"I did not flatter myself I had power to confound your learned mind, Mr. Spottiswoode," returned the lady.
"I shall not be the first, nor the last, whom your ladyship has confounded; all our heads become turned in your society."
"Very well; I declare I shall tell Miss Wycherly how you flirt."
"Pray do, Lady Anna; Miss Wycherly is coming down with Mr. Tyndal."
"Very well; Miss Wycherly, what do you think Mr. Spottiswoode says?"
"Cross hands and back again, and never mind what Mr. Spottiswoode says," said Miss Wycherly. "I am flying down the middle." Away she went.
"I saw Miss Wycherly did not touch you in cross hands, Mr. Spottiswoode, but here she comes again."
The party made their poussette in high glee, Miss Wycherly appearing wholly engaged in some joke with Henry Tyndal, and Mr. Spottiswoode showering compliments upon Lady Anna. Tom Pynsent and Anna Maria, who stood near the set, and heard the dialogue, were much amused.
"Cousin Pen has quarrelled with Spottiswoode," he remarked, "and there will be a pretty battle; hear how he is laying it into Lady Anna Herbert. I should not like quarrelling, should you, Miss Wetheral?"