“May I add anything more? May I assign a motive for your conduct? May I tell her you are already engaged?”
“Tell her whatever you please, dear Mrs. Calverley; but make her clearly understand that no persuasion shall ever induce me to marry Lord Courland. I surrender him entirely to you!”
“Never mind me! But do tell me who is the highly-favoured individual you have chosen?”
“Can you not guess? There is but one person I could choose, and he is not very far off.”
“Chetwynd?” cried Mrs. Calverley.
“Yes.”
“And you have accepted him?”
Again the answer was in the affirmative. “He is indeed most fortunate?” exclaimed Mrs. Calverley. “One question more and I have done.”
“I know what you would ask,” replied Emmeline. “Mamma has given her consent. But the marriage will not take place for some months.”
“Oh, how delighted I am!” cried Mrs. Calverley, with difficulty refraining from embracing her.