Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/232

230 if it were £10,000, I might yield. But who the devil would put themselves into chains tor nothing? This Miss Airey is, to be sure, a nice little sparkling girl, but pennyless—in want of every thing that might lead me even for a moment to think of popping the question."

Having had the patience to hear him thus express himself, Douglas, not deigning further conversation, arose from his seat with self-possession and calm dignity, and went immediately from the spot to the residence of his Colonel, where he was conducted to the apartment of Mrs. Melbourne, by whom he had been at all times held in the most favourable estimation.

Entering, therefore, at once with her upon the topic which had of late engrossed so much of his thoughts, he hinted, with the nicest circumspection, that after a courtship so perseveringly maintained by the gallant Captain Sutton with Miss Airey, her fair protégée, report had finally given them to each other.

"Never," hastily replied Mrs. Melbourne, "never has Ellina ever conceived the idea of giving herself to Captain Sutton, or disposing of herself to one so light and unthinking."

The looks of Douglas expressed the greatest surprise, as if he almost doubted the veracity of her