[CHAPTER XIX.]
Imagine Lady Clive's delight when she learns that her brother is to marry her favorite, Lady Vera.
"It is what I most wished upon earth," she says, "but I had despaired of ever having my heart's desire. You never acted much like lovers, you two."
"You see I never intended to marry, so I did not encourage lovers, then," Lady Vera explains.
"And now?" Lady Clive inquires, with a roguish twinkle of her bright, blue eyes.
"Now I have changed my mind," the countess exclaims, evasively.
"Lovely woman's divine prerogative," laughs her friend. "But do you know that malicious people will say that you have quite thrown yourself away in marrying a plain, untitled American?"
"I am quite indifferent to what they will say," the young countess replies, serenely. "I shall have secured my own happiness, and that is the main point. For the rest, I am not anxious over titles. You know I am part American myself."
"Yes, I know, but this is the first time I have ever heard you allude to it," Lady Clive replies. "I fancied you were ashamed of the Yankee strain in your blood."
The sensitive color rushes warmly into Lady Vera's cheek.