'No, my dear,' said Miss Margland, 'it would be quite below your dignity to think about him, without knowing better who he is, or what are his expectations and connexions. As to this young officer, I shall take proper care to make enquiries, before he has his answer. He belongs to a very good family; for he's related to Lord O'Lerney, and I have friends in Ireland who can acquaint me with his situation and fortune. There's time enough to look about you; only as Mr. Mandlebert has behaved so unhandsomely, I hope none of the family will give him their countenance. I am sure it will be to no purpose, if any body should think of doing it by way of having any design upon him. It will be lost labour, I can tell them.' 'As to that, I am quite easy,' said Indiana, tossing her head, 'any body is welcome to him for me;--my cousin, or any body else.' Camilla, now, absolutely called upon to speak, with all the spirit she could assume, said, 'With regard to me, there is no occasion to remind me how much I am out of the question; yet suffer me to say, respect for myself would secure me from forming such plans as you surmise, if no other sense of propriety could save me from such humiliation.' 'Now, my dear, you speak properly,' said Miss Margland, taking her hand; 'and I hope you will have the spirit to shew him you care no more for him than he cares for you.' 'I hope so too,' answered Camilla, turning pale; 'but I don't suppose--I can't imagine--that it is very likely he should have mentioned anything good or bad--with regard to his care for me?' This was painfully uttered, but from a curiosity irrepressible. 'As to that, my dear, don't deceive yourself; for the question was put home to him very properly, that you might know what you had to expect, and not keep off other engagements from a false notion.' 'This indeed,' said Camilla, colouring with indignation, 'this has been a most useless, a most causeless enquiry!' 'I am very glad you treat the matter as it deserves, for I like to see young ladies behave with dignity.' 'And pray, then, what--was there any--did he make--was there any--any answer--to this--to--.' 'O, yes, he answered without any great ceremony, I can assure you! He said, in so many words, that he thought no more of you than of our cousin, and was going abroad to divert and amuse himself, better than by entering into marriage, with either one or other of you; or with any body else.' Camilla felt half killed by this answer; and presently quitting the room, ran out into the garden, and to a walk far from the house, before she had power to breathe, or recollection to be aware of the sensibility she was betraying. She then as hastily went back, secretly resolving never more to think of him, and to shew both to himself and to the world, by every means in her power, her perfect indifference. She could not, however, endure to encounter Miss Margland again, but called for Lionel, and begged him to hurry the coachman.