“There has been no shooting yet though, I hope?” said Lady Augusta.
“No, no, ma’am,” replied Dashwood; “but the ladies are all upon the green—a crowd of fair competitors; but I’d bet a thousand pounds upon your ladyship’s arrows. Make way there—make way,” cried the man of gallantry, in an imperious tone, to some poor people, who crowded round the carriage; and talking and laughing loud, he pushed forward, making as much bustle in seating the ladies as they could have wished. Being seated, they began to bow and nod to their acquaintance. “There’s Mrs. Temple and her daughters,” said Lady S——.
“Where, ma’am?” said Lady Augusta: “I’m sure I did not expect to meet them here. Where are they?”
“Just opposite to us. Pray, Mr. Dashwood, who is that gentleman in brown, who is talking to Miss Helen Temple?” “Upon my word I don’t know, madam; he bowed just now to Lord George.”
“Did he?” said Lady Augusta. “I wonder who he is!”
Lord George soon satisfied her curiosity, for, coming up to them, he said negligently, “Dashwood, there’s young Mountague yonder.”
“Ha! is that young Mountague? Well, is his father dead? What has he done with that old quiz?”
“Ask him yourself,” said Lord George sullenly: “I asked him just now, and he looked as black as November.”
“He was so fond of his father—it is quite a bore,” said Dashwood. “I think he’ll be a quiz himself in due time.”
“No,” said Lord George; “he knows better than that too in some things. He has a monstrous fine horse with him here; and that’s a good pretty girl that he’s going to marry.”