would wait for two or three years they would make no objection. This was acceded to; the old gentleman said they were both young enough, and he thought it would be well for them to wait.
When Lady Eveline was summoned into her father's study, or the room which went by that name in the Brighton establishment, she was astonished and confounded to discover that everyone took it for granted that she had promised to marry Mr. John Derrick, provided he obtained the Earl's consent. Her mother clasped her to her hear, wept over her, and said she knew she should be happy; her father declared that he had no wish but to please her, and that if she had set her heart on this young fellow, he would make no objection on the score of birth or position. Young people would be young people and take fancies to each other to the end of time, and he, the Earl, did not see any good in thwarting them. He had though she would wait till she had been presented before she made conquests, but after all there was no time like the present. Then old Mr. Derrick gravely said that he was most happy that everything had been so pleasantly and amicably arranged, and declared his intention of welcoming Lady Eveline into his family ere long.
