But
then she is a Catholic! I will turn Papist. Ah! there is Lucy. I want a
counsellor.'
He turned to his fellow-steward. 'Oh, Lucy! such a woman! such an
incident!'
'What! the inimitable Miss Dacre, I suppose. Everybody speaking of her;
wherever I go, one subject of conversation. Burlington wanting to
waltz with her, Charles Annesley being introduced, and Lady Bloomerly
decidedly of opinion that she is the finest creature in the county.
Well, have you danced with her?'
'Danced, my dear fellow! Do not speak to me.'
'What is the matter?'
'The most diabolical matter that you ever heard of.'
'Well, well?'
'I have not even been introduced.'
'Well! come on at once.'
'I cannot.'
'Are you mad?'
'Worse than mad. Where is her father?'
'Who cares?'
'I do. In a word, my dear Lucy, her father is that guardian whom I have
perhaps mentioned to you, and to whom I have behaved so delicately.'
'Why! I thought your guardian was an old curmudgeon.'
'What does that signify, with such a daughter!'
'Oh! here is some mistake. This is the only child of Dacre of Castle
Dacre, a most delightful fellow; one of the first fellows in the county;
I was introduced to him to-day on the course.
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