"Ay, ay, young lady," said he, looking at her with all a father's affection, "I see how it is. And, come now—what do you turn away for? dost think, if, as I believe, though there are envious persons in the world, as there always are when a man's handsome, or clever, or brave; though by the way, which is a very droll thing in my eyes, they don't envy, at least not ill-naturedly, a man for being a Lord, or rich; but quite on the contrary, rank and money seem to make them think one has all the cardinal virtues,—Humph!—If, I say, this Mr. Clifford should turn out to be a gentleman of family,—for you know that is essential, since the Brandons have, as my brother has probably told you, been a great race many centuries ago;—dost think, my child, that thou couldst give up—(the cat is out of the bag)—this old Lord, and marry a simple gentleman?"
The hand which the Squire had held was now with an arch tenderness applied to his mouth, and when he again seized it, Lucy hid her glowing face in his bosom; and it was only by a whisper,
