"
"I never thought so!"
"No; but you were never a fair judge. I think she has owed
unspeakably much to Mrs. Evelyn, who, so far as I can see, is the
first person who, at any rate since the break-up of the original
home, made conscientiousness, or indeed religion, appear winning to
her, neither stiff, nor censorious, nor goody."
"Is not this close combination of the two families rather odd?"
"I don't think it is. Poor Lord Fordham is very fond of Armine, and
he hates the being driven abroad every winter so much, that the
meeting Armine is the only pleasant ingredient. And it has been
convenient for Sydney to join our school-room party. I was very glad
also, that these last two summers, there have been visits at Fordham.
Staying there has given Mrs. Brownlow and the younger ones some
insight into what the life at Belforest might be, but never has been;
and they will not be kept out of it any longer."
"Then they are going home!"
"After the London season."
"Why, little Barbara is surely not coming out yet?"
"No; but Elvira is."
"Ah! by the bye, was I not told that I was to have two weddings?"
"Allen wished it, but the Elf won't hear of it. She says she had no
notion of turning into a stupid old married woman before she has had
any fun.
Pages:
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502