The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth - A complete eBook in pages (32 / 300)

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The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth
Book, page 32 / 300

creature as Sir Terence O'Fay at her gala.

'Have it your own way, my dear, as you have everything else!'
cried Lord Clonbrony, taking up his hat, and preparing to decamp;
'but, take notice, if you won't receive him you need not expect
me. So a good morning to you, my Lady Clonbrony. You may find a
worse friend in need, yet, than that same Sir Terence O'Fay.'

'I trust I shall never be in need, my lord,' replied her
ladyship. 'It would be strange, indeed, if I were, with the
fortune I brought.'

'Oh! that fortune of hers!' cried Lord Clonbrony, stopping both
his ears as he ran out of the room; 'shall I never hear the end
of that fortune, when I've seen the end of it long ago?'

During this matrimonial dialogue, Grace Nugent and Lord Colambre
never once looked at each other. Grace was very diligently
trying the changes that could be made in the positions of a
china-mouse, a cat, a dog, a cup, and a Brahmin, on the
mantelpiece; Lord Colambre as diligently reading the newspaper.

'Now, my dear Colambre,' said Lady Clonbrony, 'put down the
paper, and listen to me. Let me entreat you not to neglect Miss
Broadhurst to-night, as I know that the family come here chiefly
on your account.'

'My dear mother, I never can neglect any deserving young lady,
and particularly one of your guests; but I shall be careful not
to do more than not to neglect, for I never will pretend what I
do not feel.'

'But, my dear Colambre, Miss Broadhurst is everything you could
wish, except being a beauty.'

'Perhaps, madam,' said Lord Colambre, fixing his eyes on Grace
Nugent, 'you think that I can see no farther than a handsome
face?'

The unconscious Grace Nugent now made a warm eulogium of Miss

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