“From Mr. Hervey, I believe.”
“His name was ready upon your lips; I hope he was not far from your thoughts?”
“No one could be farther from my thoughts,” said Belinda.
“Well, very likely—I believe it, because you say it; and because it is impossible.”
“Rally me as much as you please, my dear Lady Delacour, I assure you that I speak the simple truth.”
“I cannot suspect you of affectation, my dear. Therefore honestly tell me, if Clarence Hervey were at your feet this instant, would you spurn him from you?”
“Spurn him! no—I would neither spurn him, nor motion him from me; but without using any of the terms in the heroine’s dictionary——”
“You would refuse him?” interrupted Lady Delacour, with a look of indignation—“you would refuse him?”
“I did not say so, I believe.”
“You would accept him?”