Nay, one shopman flattered Cecil and shocked Esther
by directing his exhibition of wares to them, and the former was thus
excited to think how soon they might be actually shopping on their
own account, and to fix his affections on an utterly impracticable
fender as his domestic hearth. Meanwhile Caroline had only just come
in from amusing Mrs. Lucas with the story, when a cab drove up, and
Mrs. Evelyn was with her, with an eager, "Where are they?"
"Somewhere in the depths of the city, with her mother, shopping.
Ought I to have told you?"
"Of course I trust you. She must be nice—-your Friar's sister; but I
could not stay at home, and Duke wished me to come—-"
"How is he?"
"So very happy about this-—the connection especially. I don't think
he could have borne it if it had been the Infanta. How is that dear
Babie?"
"Quite well. I left her walking with Lina in the Square gardens."
"As simple and untouched as ever?"
"As much as ever a light-hearted baby."
"Ah! well, so much the better. And let me say, once for all, that
you need not fear any closer intercourse with us. My poor Duke has
made up his mind that such things are not for him, and wishes all to
be arranged for Cecil as his heir. Not that he is any worse. With
care he may survive us all, the doctors say; but he has made up his
mind, and will never ask Babie again.
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