"
"And Lucy's admirers--and Lucy herself--"
"How, Lucy herself?"
"Was she well received--courted--admired? Met as an equal, and treated
as an equal? And you, too?"
"Had you lived more in the world, Miles, you would not have asked the
question. But Lucy has been always received as Mrs. Bradfort's
daughter would have been received; and as for myself, I have never
supposed it was not known exactly who I am."
"_Captain_ Miles Wallingford's daughter, and _Captain_ Miles
Wallingford's sister," said I, with a little bitterness on each
emphasis.
"Precisely; and a girl proud of her connections with both," rejoined
Grace, with strong affection.
"I wish I knew one thing, Grace; and I think I _ought_ to know
it, too."
"If you can make the last appear, Miles, you may rest assured you
shall know it, if it depend on me."
"Did any of these gentry--these soft-handed fellows--ever think of
offering to _you_?"
Grace laughed, and she coloured so deeply--oh! how heavenly was her
beauty, with that roseate tint on her cheek!--but she coloured so
deeply, that I felt satisfied that she, too, had refused her
suitors. The thought appeased some of my bitter feelings, and I had a
sort of semi-savage pleasure in believing that a daughter of Clawbonny
was not to be had for the asking, by one of that set.
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