Page:Ethel Churchill 3.pdf/138

136 "Nay," said Mr. Courtenaye, "do not leave us so soon!" "I cannot afford," said she, laughing, "to lose a single air or grace on your account. What is the homage of three cavaliers, compared with that of half the town?" and, rising from her seat, she left the room, humming one of those delicious airs, which afterward made the Beggars' Opera so popular. "That last speech," exclaimed Sir George, it is the much and the many for which they care!" "I am amazed," interrupted Norbourne, "to hear you say so; you, who have so many devoted to you, and you only!" "That is the very reason they are devoted; if I had only myself to offer, who would care for that? but when the triumph is over half a dozen rivals, even my unworthy self becomes an object of consideration! It is not," continued Kingston, "that they wish so much to have me themselves, as to take me away from others!"