"It would be in every respect a most satisfactory and happy marriage. The young Earl has behaved with great consideration and forbearance in abstaining from pushing his claims." "In abstaining from asking for that which he did not believe to be his own." "You had better hear me to the end, Mr. Thwaite. All the friends of the two young people desire it. The Earl himself is warmly attached to his cousin." "So am I,--and have been for many years." "We all believe that she loves him." "Let her say so to me, Serjeant Bluestone, and there shall be an end of it all. It seems to me that Lord Lovel and I have different ideas about a woman. I would not take the hand of a girl who told me that she loved another man, even though she was as dear to me, as,--as Lady Anna is dear to me now. And as for what she might have in her hand, it would go for naught with me, though I might have to face beggary without her. It seems to me that Lord Lovel is less particular in this matter." "I do not see that you and I have anything to do with that," replied the Serjeant, hardly knowing what to say. "I have nothing to do with Lord Lovel, certainly,--nor has he with me. As to his cousin,--it is for her to choose." "We think,--I am only telling you what we think;--but we think, Mr. Thwaite, that the young lady's affections are fixed on her cousin. It is natural that they should be so; and watching her as closely as we can, we believe such to be the case. I will be quite on the square with you, Mr. Thwaite." "With me and with everybody else, I hope, Serjeant Bluestone." "I hope so," said the Serjeant, laughing; "but at any rate I will be so with you now. We have been unable to get from Lady Anna any certain reply,--any assurance of her own wishes. She has told her mother that she cannot accept Lord Lovel's addresses till she has seen you." The Serjeant in this was not quite on the square, as Lady Anna had never said so. "We believe that she considers it necessary, to her conscience, to be made free by your permission, before she can follow her own inclinations and accede to those of all her friends." "She shall have my permission in a moment,--if she will ask for it." "Could you not be more generous even than that?" "How more generous, Serjeant Bluestone?" "Offer it to her unasked. You have already said that you would not accept her hand if you did not believe that you had her heart also,--and the sentiment did you honour. Think of her condition, and be generous to her." "Generous to her! You mean generous to Lady Lovel,--generous to Lord Lovel,--generous to all the Lovels except her. It seems to me that all the generosity is to be on one side." "By no means. We can be generous too."