Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/194

192 and Mr. Spenser had been standing near enough to hear all the conversation. "I have a favour to ask of you, Mandeville," said Lorraine, drawing him a little aside, while he proceeded to recommend Don Henriquez to his protection and assistance, should he arrive in Naples before they left. "I am so surprised," said Spenser, abruptly, "that Mr. Lorraine should be leaving Naples so immediately." "Nay," returned Emily, "Spain is a very interesting country, and it was only urgent business that brought him to Naples." "I should like to know what it was," said Spenser, quite unconscious that he was thinking aloud. "Never reproach our sex with curiosity," replied Emily; "see how curious you are yourself. I beg leave to tell you, it is something romantic, and very mysterious; and that, to our feminine credit be it known, I am aware of the secret, and do not intend telling it." "Really," said Miss Arabin, veiling spleen in smiles—its common veil, by the by—"I cannot allow you, Miss Arundel, to stand there flirting the whole evening," they had not been talking five minutes, "with Mr. Spenser.