"Oh, poor boy, he's looking—he's trying to decide. He asks nothing of any one. If he would only knock at a few doors! But he's too proud."
"Do you call him very clever?" Fanny's mother demanded.
"Yes, decidedly; and good and kind and true. But he has been unlucky."
"Of course he can't bear her!" said Mrs. Knocker, with a little dry laugh.
"Lady Greyswood stared; then she broke out: "Do you mean you'd be willing—?"
"He's very charming."
"Ah, but you must have great ideas."
"He's very well connected," said Mrs. Knocker, snapping the tight elastic on her umbrella.
"Oh, my dear Jane—'connected!'" Lady Greyswood gave a sigh of the sweetest irony.
"He's connected with you, to begin with."
Lady Greyswood put out her hand and held her visitor's for a moment. "Of course it isn't as if he were a different sort of person. Of course I should like it!" she added.
