But there
was the engagement, known to all the world, and how could its fulfilment
now be avoided? The poor dear old woman began to repeat to herself the
first half of the Quaker's advice, "Doan't thou marry for munny."
Lord Fawn was to come down only in time for a late dinner. An ardent
lover, one would have thought, might have left his work somewhat earlier
on a Saturday, so as to have enjoyed with his sweetheart something of the
sweetness of the Saturday summer afternoon; but it was seven before he
reached Fawn Court, and the ladies were at that time in their rooms
dressing. Lizzie had affected to understand all his reasons for being so
late, and had expressed herself as perfectly satisfied. "He has more to do
than any of the others," she had said to Augusta. "Indeed the whole of our
vast Indian empire may be said to hang upon him just at present;" which
was not complimentary to Lord Fawn's chief, the Right Honourable Legge
Wilson, who at the present time represented the interests of India in the
Cabinet. "He is terribly overworked, and it is a shame; but what can one
do?"
"I think he likes work," Augusta had replied.
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