"No, I confess I am not," said Mabel; "but I suppose you hear a great deal of it in Bath, where so many matches must be talked over."
"Oh! an immense deal—it is quite amusing to hear of so many projected marriages, and of their coming to nothing after all."
"But that is why I think match-making anything but amusing," said Mabel.
"But then all the éclat of a conquest would be gone," suggested Lucy, "if there were no talking beforehand. I assure you, last year, there were I do not know how many half offers in our family. Selina and I used to walk round the Crescent and count them all up, and they helped us through the dull weather amazingly; something like the nibbling of a trout, which just serves to keep up the hope of ultimately catching one. Mamma talks a great deal about Caroline's beauty, and her charming spirits—but she does not know how to sleep for wishing her married. It would be horrible to have her an old maid—so I hope and trust the good Colonel, with, I dare say, Indian guineas, and an Indian face, will take pity on her, and bring her here."
"Give me a description of Caroline," said Mabel, suddenly. "Is she not very beautiful and accomplished?"
"How you startle me," said Lucy. "Why she is very tall—fine features, people say—she has black hair and black eyes, and dances splendidly—polks to admiration—so very good-natured—and witty before company—and rather the reverse behind the scenes—in short, would do much better for Mrs. Hargrave than for the eldest of four maiden sisters—and so, in all due affection, I should be very glad to see her married."
"Is she clever as well as beautiful?" said Mabel.
"She sings and plays beautifully. Yes, I believe she is clever—knows French well."
Mabel sighed.