ran out of the room, leaving them looking at each other with astonishment.)
"Can this be Mrs Courtney? (cried the Countess) my God, what a change!" "But is there, can there, be any truth (said the Marchioness) in the Count's attentions?" "Heaven knows (said she) but if it is so, I shall never depend upon man again."
Some company coming in, prevented further conversation; but at dinner, when they all met, the ladies observed the Count appeared to be thoughtful and uneasy, Mrs Courtney gay and lively, Lord Delby rather attentive to both; in short, it was the first dinner in which the party seemed collected within themselves, and forgot their friends, except Mrs Courtney, who behaved with remarkable politeness and sweetness to all.
When the ladies retired to the drawing-room the Count addressed the Marquis in the following manner. "I believe, my dear
