`Ohyes！It’sonlymywayoftalking。Theeventmustcome，sometime，andsoIlooktothebrightsideofit——that’stherightplan，isn’tit，Mrs。H。？——Whatareyoutwodoinghere，bytheby——where’sLadyLowborough？’
`Inthebilliardroom。
`Whatasplendidcreaturesheis！’continuedhe，fixinghiseyesonhiswife，whochangedcolour，andlookedmoreandmoredisconcertedasheproceeded。`Whatanoblefigureshehas！andwhatmagnificentblackeyes；andwhatafinespiritofherown；——andwhatatongueofherown，too，whenshelikestouseit——Iperfectlyadoreher！——Butnevermind，Milicent；Iwouldn’thaveherformywife——notifshe’dakingdomforherdowry！I’mbettersatisfiedwiththeoneIhave——Now，then！whatdoyoulooksosulkyfor？don’tyoubelieveme？’
`Yes，Ibelieveyou，’murmuredshe，inatoneofhalfsad，halfsullenresignation，assheturnedawaytostrokethehairofhersleepinginfant，thatshehadlaidonthesofabesideher。
`Wellthen，whatmakesyousocross？ComehereMilly，andtellmewhyyoucan’tbesatisfiedwithmyassurance。’