Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/166

164 auspices! think of the effect Emily Arundel will produce next season."

"Why not marry her at once to Cecil Spenser?" said Lord Mandeville, abruptly. There is a most characteristic difference in the way a man and a woman take to introduce a desired topic: the one, like a knight, claps spurs to his steed, and rides straight into the field; the other, like an Indian, fights behind cover, and watches her opportunity; the knight often misses the enemy, the Indian never. Lord Mandeville was more abrupt than ingenious. "I marry Emily to Mr. Spenser!" said the lady, with a most meek air of utter inability; "really I do think she may be allowed a choice of her own. I cannot take her feelings, as well as her ringlets, under my charge. You give me credit for authority which I not only do not possess, but should be sorry to acquire." "Well, Ellen, you must have your own way: but this I must say, Emily Arundel is a girl of whose strong feelings I think even your penetration is scarcely aware." "Truly I am one very likely to encourage romance in any young lady! Did you ever know me to patronise moonlight walks, or talk