He had been a week at Custins, and had said not a word to
denote his passion. Day after day he had prepared himself for the
encounter, but the lady had never given him the opportunity. When
he sat next to her at dinner she would be very silent. If he
stayed at home on a morning she was not visible. During the short
evenings he could never get her attention. And he made no progress
with the Duke. The Duke had been very courteous to him at
Richmond, but here he was monosyllabic and almost sullen.
Once or twice Lord Popplecourt had a little conversation with Lady
Cantrip. 'Dear girl!' said her ladyship. 'She is so little given
to seeing admiration.'
'I dare say.'
'Girls are so different, Lord Popplecourt. With some of them it
seems that a gentleman need have no trouble in explaining what it
is that he wishes.'
'I don't think Lady Mary is like that at all.'
'Not in the least. Anyone who addresses her must be prepared to
explain himself fully. Nor ought he to hope to get much
encouragement at first. I do not think that Lady Mary will bestow
her heart till she is sure she can give it with safety.
Pages:
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645