human
Yes, my Lord, it's enough to make one faint indeed! Now, if your Lordship--(I'm not used to this sort of thing, my Lord)--would just make a sort of beginning for me, my Lord, with the Lady Cicely, to set us going, my Lord--the least shove would do, my Lord--because, my Lord, _courtship's_ a very--a--a
gpt
Well, Mr. Titmouse, said the earl, with a gracious smile,
human
his Lordship presently added in a serious tone,
gpt
To be sure, my Lord! And consider, too, her Ladyship's uncommon high rank--it's so particular condescending.--By the way, my Lord, will she--if she and I can hit it off, so as to marry one another--be called _Mrs. Titmouse_, or shall I be called _Lord Titmouse_? I wonder how that will be, my Lord? 'Tis only, your Lordship understands, on Lady Cicely's account I ask, because it's, in course, all one to _me_ when once we're married.
human
Sir, it is not an unreasonable question, though I should have imagined that you could hardly--be--but--in short, the Lady Cecilia will retain her rank, and become the Lady Cecilia Titmouse--that is, during my life; but on my demise, she succeeds to the barony of Drelincourt, and then will be called, of course, Lady Drelincourt.
gpt
And what shall _I_ be then, my Lord?
human
Sir, you will of course continue Mr. Titmouse.
gpt
he interrupted with a crestfallen air,
human
Sir, so it always has been, and will be, and so it ever ought to be,
gpt
Well but, my Lord, (excuse me, my Lord)--but marriage is a very serious thing, my Lord, your Lordship knows
human
It is, sir, indeed,
gpt
Suppose, continued Titmouse,
human
Lady Cicely should die before me?
gpt
Sir, these are rather singular questions--but, he paused for some moments--
human
Oh, my Lord! I humbly beg pardon--of course, I should be, 'pon my soul, my Lord, most uncommon sorry
gpt
I was saying, sir--that in such an event, if Lady Drelincourt left no issue, you would succeed to the barony; but should she leave issue, they will be called Honorable
human
What!--'the Honorable Tittlebat Titmouse,' if it's a boy, and the 'Honorable Cecilia Titmouse,' if it's a girl?
gpt
Sir, it will be so--unless you should choose to take the name and arms of Dreddlington, on marrying the sole heiress
human
Oh! indeed, my Lord? 'Pon my life, my Lord, _that's_ worth considering--because--betwixt your Lordship and I, I a'n't over and above pleased with my own name. What will it cost to change it, now, my Lord?
gpt
Sir, said the earl, struck with the idea,