"He thinks nothing about her—you are his object, so take care what you do, dear Georgiana; for should you be mistaken in the intentions of Lieutenant Hales, you will have a terrible persecution to undergo, I can foresee."
"I am not mistaken, Helen; Arthur loves me, but perhaps he cannot as yet ask me to marry him, and I have no Mr. Glentworth to smooth the way for me, as Louisa had. Happy Louisa!"
"Lord Meersbrook will not be wanting to his brother. Mrs. Palmer said he was all that was generous and considerate."
"I cannot doubt that; they are like each other in both mind and person; but if this wicked old marquis should indeed have taken such a foolish fancy into his head, mamma would refuse any body for his sake. His title and his wealth would outweigh an angel in her estimation."
Helen felt the truth of this observation too decidedly to contradict it, and only replied by a sigh; and after walking some time in silence, Georgiana said, in a hesitating voice—
"Helen, could you like the marquis? He is not so very old, and he is really agreeable, and undoubtedly there are advantages in wealth and rank. One can have many pleasures, and do a great deal of good with money. Now if you think you could, perhaps we might all be satisfied, for I am sure a sensible man of his description, when he knows both, would prefer you."
