On this occasion, Zephyrus sent up a charming little repast, that pleased all who partook of it.
A small round table sufficed for the party, which only numbered seven. Among the guests was Sir Bridgnorth, who was asked at a very late hour; but he stood upon no ceremony, and was delighted to meet the two girls.
Again, it was quite impossible to say whether Lord Courland intended to devote himself to Emmeline or Mildred.
As a matter of course, he took down Lady Thick-nesse to dinner, and sat between her ladyship and Emmeline; but he managed to talk a great deal to Mildred, who was placed opposite him; and had the girls been rivals, neither of them could have boasted of a triumph.
Next to Mildred was Sir Bridgnorth, and Emmeline was separated from Chetwynd by Scrope Danvers, who sat on her left, and prevented all conversation between them.
Chetwynd's deportment was very quiet during dinner, and he said little; but in the evening he talked a great deal to Lady Thicknesse, and pleased her so much that she gave him a general invitation to the house—a point he was very desirous to gain.
VI. LADY THICKNESSE HAS A CONFERENCE WITH SCROPE.
Nearly a week passed much in the same way.