"Dear, dear, so Mr. Billett has serious intentions also--and I thought a
little while ago that I was really in Mr. Billett's confidence--it only
shows how little one can tell. As for Oliver, he of course is blighted--at
present--but I'm sure that that will not last very long--one always finds
most adequate consolation sooner or later though possibly not in the way in
which one originally supposed." She sighed elfinly as Oliver muttered under
his breath.
"What was that, Oliver? Oh, no, I am not at all the sort of person that
writes anonymous letters to one's wife--or family--or sister," a spaced
little pause between each noun. "And besides it wouldn't be much use in me,
would it? for of course you young gentlemen will tell the young ladies you
marry _everything_ about yourselves--all honorable young people do. And
then too," she spread out her hands, "to be frank. We've all been so
beautifully frank about ourselves tonight--that's one thing I _have_ liked
so much about the evening--well, it would hardly be worth my while to take
lessons in blackmailing from Elizabeth if the only subjects on which I
could apply them were two impecunious young men.
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