human
And you have not caught one glimpse of a certain young lady yet? Nods and becks and a mysterious archness of expression pointed the question.
gpt
My dear Mr Gerrard, she is handsomer than ever--in her own style, of course; you may take an old woman's word for it.
human
But where shall I find the old woman?
gpt
Oh, you quiet young men are just as naughty as the rest--with your compliments, indeed! But if I were to repeat to you what a little bird told me, you would never, never betray me? Earnest assurances on Gerrard's part.
human
Well, then, I hear that Miss Cinnamond is not very happy at home!
gpt
I am sorry to hear it,
human
Of course it is very sad, she admitted.
gpt
But surely it has its brighter side? The fact is, the General and dear Lady Cinnamond are _everything_ to each other. There is really no place for the poor girl. I confess she has made her mother wear caps like other people--makes them for her herself, I believe--instead of that extraordinary Popish veil--so like a nun's, I call it--though even she has not been able to get her to do anything to her hair. Like most of her contemporaries, Mrs Jardine regarded it as almost indecent to display grey or white hair, and herself wore a
human
You were saying something about caps?
gpt
Oh yes, of course. Dear me, what was it? Oh, I remember. Well, you see, though it is very good and loving of her to do it --Gerrard had to cast his mind back to discover what
human
was--
gpt
Gerrard looked, as he felt, bewildered, not seeing the connection, since Colonel Antony had no marriageable daughter.
human
Oh, you haven't heard that the dear Colonel has got his K.C.B.? They are all talking about it to-night--it was in the mail that came in this afternoon.
gpt
I have not had time to open any newspapers, said Gerrard wearily.
human
I am glad to hear it, if the Antonys are pleased.
gpt
Of course a mere worldly distinction of that sort could never make any real difference to dear Colonel Antony--Sir Edmund, I should say. Mrs Jardine's tone was severe.
human
But as a token of his Sovereign's approbation, it must raise his position among the people here.
gpt
Nothing could ever raise Colonel Antony higher in the minds of the people who really know him,
human
All the more reason that he should have this honour to recommend him to those who do not, retorted Mrs Jardine triumphantly.
gpt
That is exactly what I was saying---- Dear me! what was I saying? Oh, I remember; we were discussing Lady Cinnamond's assumption of superiority--just a little out of place in the case of a foreigner--you agree with me? Well, what I was going to say was, why should Miss Cinnamond, who is not happy at home, refuse so many eligible suitors, if it was not that her heart is already engaged? There! I mustn't bore you any longer. Why, you are looking quite excited! Have I given you just one little tiny crumb of comfort? Don't thank me; doing kindnesses is my only pleasure.