It must be acknowledged on Lizzie's behalf, that she could
always avoid awkwardness. He did touch her cheek with his lips, blushing
as he did so. She had her ungloved hand in his, and, still holding him,
returned into the circle. She said not a word; and what he said was of no
moment; but they had met as lovers, and any of the family who had allowed
themselves to imagine that even yet the match might be broken, now
unconsciously abandoned that hope.
"Was he always such a truant, Lady Fawn?" Lizzie asked, when it seemed to
her that no one else would speak a word.
"I don't know that there is much difference," said Lady Fawn. "Here is
dinner. Frederic, will you give--Lady Eustace your arm?" Poor Lady Fawn!
It often came to pass that she was awkward.
There were no less than ten females sitting round the board at the bottom
of which Lord Fawn took his place. Lady Fawn had especially asked Lucy to
come in to dinner, and with Lucy had come the two younger girls. At Lord
Fawn's right hand sat Lizzie, and Augusta at his left. Lady Fawn had
Amelia on one side and Lucy on the other. "So Mr. Greystock was here to-
day," Lady Fawn whispered into Lucy's ear.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222