Lady Susan, whirling over at the moment, almost fell against Edmund’s arm, on which, laughing at the reeling of her head, she rested a finger to steady herself. Her ladyship was all fair, all soft, and without much form; but, being young, she was by no means forbidding; and her countenance exhibited such a ceaseless sunshine of smiles, and was so much adorned by the undulating movement of its dimples, now deepening, now spreading on rosy cheeks, or playing around ruby lips, that the beholder had no leisure to observe its dumpling contour, or criticise its want of feature.
“How fond my brother is of being a beau!” observed Lady Susan to her partner, as Julia and Lord Morven took their places opposite.
“His lordship must resign that character shortly, I understand,” said Edmund, with effort.
“In a day or two, I suppose,” replied her ladyship. “You have observed, I dare say, what an admirer he is of his cousin, Lady Julia?”
“It is very apparent, certainly,” replied Edmund.
“There!” exclaimed her ladyship, “so I tell him! I don’t know what his wife will say to all this, when she comes!”
“His wife!” exclaimed Edmund, unable to trust his ears.
“She has no right to complain, to be sure!” continued Lady Susan, “for she is an unconscionable flirt herself!”
“His wife!” again reiterated Edmund.
“Yes, his wife,” she repeated.