short time had elapsed before that vigilant gentlewoman,
resolved to convince her mistress that nothing could
escape her sleepless scrutiny, and that it was equally
in vain for her mistress to hope to possess any secrets
without her participation, seized a convenient opportunity
before she bid her lady good night, just to inquire
’when it might be expected to take place?’
and in reply to the very evident astonishment which
Lady Annabel testified at this question, and the expression
of her extreme displeasure at any conversation on
a circumstance for which there was not the slightest
foundation, Mistress Pauncefort, after duly flouncing
about with every possible symbol of pettish agitation
and mortified curiosity, her cheek pale with hesitating
impertinence, and her nose quivering with inquisitiveness,
condescended to admit with a sceptical sneer, that,
of course, no doubt her ladyship knew more of such
a subject than she could; it was not her place to know
anything of such business; for her part she said nothing;
it was not her place, but if it were, she certainly
must say that she could not help believing that my
lord was looking remarkably sweet on Miss Venetia,
and what was more, everybody in the house thought the
same, though for her part, whenever they mentioned
the circumstance to her, she said nothing, or bid
them hold their tongues, for what was it to them; it
was not their business, and they could know nothing;
and that nothing would displease her ladyship more
than chattering on such subjects, and many’s
the match as good as finished, that’s gone off
by no worse means than the chitter-chatter of those
who should hold their tongues. Therefore she
should say no more; but if her ladyship wished her
to contradict it, why she could, and the sooner, perhaps,
the better.
Lady Annabel observed to her that she wished no such
thing, but she desired that Pauncefort would make
no more observations on the subject, either to her
or to any one else. And then Pauncefort bade
her ladyship good night in a huff, catching up her
candle with a rather impertinent jerk, and gently
slamming the door, as if she had meant to close it
quietly, only it had escaped out of her fingers.
Whatever might be the tone, whether of surprise or
displeasure, which Lady Annabel thought fit to assume
to her attendant on her noticing Lord Cadurcis’
attentions to her daughter, there is no doubt that
his conduct had early and long engaged her ladyship’s
remark, her consideration, and her approval.
Without meditating indeed an immediate union between
Cadurcis and Venetia, Lady Annabel pleased herself
with the prospect of her daughter’s eventual
marriage with one whom she had known so early and
so intimately; who was by nature of a gentle, sincere,
and affectionate disposition, and in whom education
had carefully instilled the most sound and laudable
principles and opinions; one apparently with simple
tastes, moderate desires, fair talents, a mind intelligent,