"Sir John, my nerves are excited by the conduct of my children. Am I the mother of the future Duchess of Forfar? Am I to be the proud mother of a child raised to the very pinnacle of worldly grandeur?"
"You will be the mother of a child truly happy in her worldly prospects, if your mind will but look rationally upon its promises, my dear Gertrude."
"Am I to be the mother of Lady Farnborough?" repeated the excited parent.
"Our daughter has not committed the base folly of accepting one man, when her heart belonged to another, Gertrude."
"Did I not do so before her, Sir John? I never repented my marriage!"
"It might be so, my love, but Chrystal never possessed your ambition, to soar over affection and honour, through its cold dictates."
"Am I to understand Bell has refused Lord Farnborough, Sir John? Is that the reading of your words? Pray speak it in intelligible words."
"Christobelle has declined his lordship, Gertrude. Her heart preferred Spottiswoode, and my concurrence went with it."
"Perhaps you will convey a message from me to the future Lady Spottiswoode of Alverton, among the flat meadows of Worcestershire, Sir John," replied his lady, in the calm tones of suppressed anger. "Tell my Lady Spottiswoode it is my request she never presumes to appear before me during the days of her singlehood."