Page:Romance & Reality 1.pdf/34

28 a change in the castle's domestic economy–a matrimonial tête-à-tête at such unusual hours, and in such an unusual place? What but a circumstance that has authorised many extraordinary proceedings—an offer of marriage. Lady Alicia took the seat assigned her by a wave of his lordship's hand.

"The consequence of our family," said her father.

"The advantages of such a union," observed the mother.

"The solitude to which my philosophical and literary pursuits–" here the retired statesman paused.

"Well aware of the excellent principles instilled into your mind," exclaimed mamma.

"Connected with some of the first people in the kingdom," ejaculated papa.

"Fastidious as my daughter must he," and Lady Etheringhame drew up à la giraffe.

"So desirable a political connection," and his lordship looked at his daughter and his pamphlets.

"I shall he freed from the weight of so much maternal anxiety;" but her ladyship was stopped in her parental display by the positive declaration of—