XII. ANOTHER EXPLANATION.
|Meanwhile, another explanation took place in the drawing-room between Mrs. Calverley and Emmeline.
They were standing close beside a window, looking upon a square, and sufficiently removed from a central table, near which were seated Captain Danvers, with Chetwynd and his sister.
“I have brought you here, my love, to have a few words with you,” commenced Mrs. Calverley. “I am commissioned by Lady Thicknesse to ask a question, which she doesn't like to ask herself. If you haven't already discovered it, I must tell you she has set her heart upon marrying you to Lord Courland.”
“I am very much obliged to her!” said Emmeline. “But I suppose my consent will be first obtained?”
“That is the very point upon which I have undertaken to consult you,” said Mrs. Calverley. “Should his lordship propose, are you inclined to accept him?”
“He is not likely to propose to me,” replied Emmeline. “I may congratulate you on the conquest you have made.”
“I am quite as indifferent to his lordship as you appear to be, my love,” rejoined Mrs. Calverley.
“I shouldn't have supposed so!” laughed Emmeline. “But of course, I take your word for it. Pray tell my aunt I am sorry to disappoint her, but she has made a wrong choice for me!”