"Of course it is a great match for
Griselda," said Mrs. Grantly, in a whisper the meekness of which
would have disarmed an enemy whose weapons were less firmly clutched
than those of Mrs. Proudie; "but, independently of that, the
connexion is one which is gratifying in many ways."
"Oh, no doubt," said Mrs. Proudie.
"Lord Dumbello is so completely his own master," continued Mrs.
Grantly, and a slight, unintended semi-tone of triumph mingled itself
with the meekness of that whisper.
"And is likely to remain so, from all I hear," said Mrs. Proudie, and
the scratched hand was at once drawn back.
"Of course the estab--," and then Mrs. Proudie, who was blandly
continuing her list of congratulations, whispered her sentence close
into the car of Mrs. Grantly, so that not a word of what she said
might be audible by the young people.
"I never heard a word of it," said Mrs. Grantly, gathering herself
up, "and I don't believe it."
"Oh, I may be wrong; and I'm sure I hope so. But young men will be
young men, you know;--and children will take after their parents.
I suppose you will see a great deal of the Duke of Omnium now."
But Mrs. Grantly was not a woman to be knocked down and trampled
on without resistance; and though she had been lacerated by the
rose-bush she was not as yet placed altogether _hors de combat_.
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