Her reverie was interrupted by her mamma telling her to run over to Mrs. Palmer, and entreat her to secure the brothers for the following evening. "And do you, Georgy, contrive to tell Penrhyn all the particulars of this drowning affair; for I remember the bare facts being mentioned at Lord Penrhyns, and he will tell them with effect, avoiding rhodomontade without omitting pathos. I beg you will not relate the circumstance to any other person; it might place you in an awkward predicament."
"I am sure I will obey you strictly, dear mamma; but really I cannot see how it would be possible for any body to reflect on me, who never was in a ship in my life; what could they say?"
"Say! why the most injurious thing in the world; if you were to relate the affair in the same words you used to me, and which I expect you to use to Mr. Penrhyn, in the presence of his sister, she would say you were in love with Lieutenant Hales immediately."
"How shameful, how cruel! I am sure I never was in love in my life—never! I think he is a very brave, noble creature, of course; but I have never seen him."
"I wish you never may," muttered Lady Anne; but she remembered her lions would be imperfect if divided; considered their acquisition a most lucky chance at such an advanced period in the season, and could not fail to rejoice in the legitimate reason they afforded for asking the Palmers and their connections.
