“Where is Pelham?” demanded Mrs Maulfrey.

“We are not quite certain,” answered Elizabeth. “We think perhaps in Rome now. Poor Pel is but an indifferent correspondent. But I feel sure we shall hear from him quite soon.”

“Well, he will have to come home for your wedding, I suppose,” said Mrs Maulfrey. “But, Lizzie, you must tell me! Has Rule paid his addresses? I had not the least idea of anything of the kind, though, naturally, I had heard that it was in a way arranged. But he has been so very—” She apparently thought better of what she had been about to say, and broke off. “But that’s neither here nor there, and I daresay he will be a charming husband. Have you given him your answer, Lizzie?”

“Not yet,” said Elizabeth almost inaudibly. “I—I too had no notion of it, Theresa. I have met him, of course. He stood up with me for the first two dances at the subscription-ball at Almack’s, when Pelham was at home. He was—he has always been—all that is amiable, but that he intended offering for my hand I never dreamed. He waited on Mama yesterday only to—to solicit her permission to pay his addresses to me. There is nothing announced yet, you must understand.”

“Everything of the most correct!” approved Mrs Maulfrey. “Oh, my love, I cannot help it if you say I have no sensibility, but only conceive of having Rule paying his addresses to one! I declare I would give my eyes—or, I would have,” she corrected herself, “had I not married Mr Maulfrey. And so,” she added, “would every other young lady in town! Why, my dears, you would not believe the caps that have been set at him!”

“Theresa, I must, I must request you not to talk in that odious way!” said Charlotte.

Horatia was looking at her cousin with interest. “Why do you say “only c-conceive of Rule paying his addresses to one”? I thought he was quite old.”