“Then I wish Miss Caroline Percy were to be married to-morrow—I have my own reasons. But, after all, tell me, is there any, the least chance of Miss Percy’s being married?”
“Not the least chance,” said Caroline.
“That is her own fault,” said Lady Jane, looking mortified and displeased.
“That cannot be said of me, there’s one comfort,” cried Lady Frances. “If I’m not married, ‘tis not my fault; but my papa’s, who, to make an eldest son, left me only a poor 5000l. portion. What a shame to rob daughters for sons, as the grandees do! I wish it had pleased Heaven to have made me the daughter of an honest merchant, who never thinks of this impertinence: then with my plum or plums, I might have chosen the first spend-thrift lord in the land, or, may be, I might have been blessed with an offer from that paragon of perfection, Lord William ——. Do you know what made him such a paragon of perfection? His elder brother’s falling sick, and being like to die. Now, if the brother should recover, adieu to my Lord William’s perfections.”
“Not in the opinion of all,” said Lady Jane. “Lord William was a favourite of mine, and I saw his merit long ago, and shall see it, whether his elder brother die or recover.”
“At all events,” continued Lady Frances, “he will be a paragon, you will see, only till he is married, and then—
‘How shall I your true love know
From any other man?’
“By-the-bye, the other day, Lord William, in flying from the chase of matrons, in his fright (he always looks like a frightened hare, poor creature!) took refuge between you two ladies. Seriously, Lady Jane, do you know I think you manage vastly well for your protégée—you are not so broad as Mrs. Falconer.”
“Broad! I beg your ladyship’s pardon for repeating your word,” cried Lady Jane, looking quite angry, and feeling too angry to parry, as she usually did, with wit: “I really don’t understand your ladyship.”
“Then I must wish your ladyship a good morning, for I’ve no time or talents for explanation,” said Lady Frances, running off, delighted to have produced a sensation.