"By no means," replied the colonel, "and I was not aware that Sir George was partial to it. Our friends at the castle are very musical." It was pleasant for the colonel to be able to talk about our friends at the castle; but Lady Aimwell, though not very ambitious of publicity in the gay world, was rather jealous of the Smatterton great ones, and thought herself treated with too much haughtiness and distance by the Earl and Countess. "I wish that all that noise and affectation were at the castle, instead of tormenting me." Thus spoke Lady Aimwell. Now, thought Colonel Crop, there was a fine opportunity for introducing his diplomacy; and for that purpose the gallant negociator said, in a very knowing accent: "But I think I have heard that this young lady is likely to give her hand to a Mr ---- Mr ---- bless me, I forget names." "Do you mean Mr Darnley," said her ladyship, "the son of our rector?" "Yes, yes," replied the colonel, "I believe that is the name; Darnley, Darnley, ay, ay, that is the name. This lady is going to be married to Mr Darnley, I have heard." "Oh no!" replied her ladyship, "I don't believe it. I can hardly think it probable. Indeed--but I hope it will go no further"-- Here her ladyship spoke in a still lower key and more subdued tone, and the gallant colonel listened with profound attention, and with great delight did he hear her ladyship thus speak: "There has, I believe, been some talk about such an affair, and Robert Darnley has met her here once or twice. But the truth is, he seems to know her character and disposition too well. And if there were any such thoughts on his part, I am sure he has given up all such idea by this time. Indeed, I do not think that there ever was much regard on either side." This was grand intelligence for the colonel. He felt himself mightily important. He soon ceased the conversation, and took his leave of the family at Neverden Hall, and he reported all that he had heard and seen according to the best of his ability. "Well, my lord, I have seen your Arabella." "Penelope, you mean;" interrupted his lordship. "Ay, ay, Penelope; bless me, how soon I forget names. So I have seen her and heard her." "She plays and sings delightfully," said Lord Spoonbill. "Wonderfully," replied the colonel, who was more than usually eloquent in consequence of the good success of his diplomacy: "to be sure I do not understand music, but I never saw so rapid an execution in my life." "But," interrupted his impatient lordship, "did you hear anything about that Darnley?" "Yes," replied the colonel, with mighty pomp and energy of manner. "Lady Aimwell told me, in confidence, that Darnley knew her character too well to think of marrying her. These were her ladyship's own words." "Now, Crop, you have done me a service indeed. Now I think the day is our own."