It was with his
daughter's pretendant, however; that would make it right for Osmond.
On her way out of the ball-room she came upon Edward Rosier, who was
standing in a doorway, with folded arms, looking at the dance in the
attitude of a young man without illusions. She stopped a moment and
asked him if he were not dancing.
"Certainly not, if I can't dance with her!" he answered.
"You had better go away then," said Isabel with the manner of good
counsel.
"I shall not go till she does!" And he let Lord Warburton pass
without giving him a look.
This nobleman, however, had noticed the melancholy youth, and he
asked Isabel who her dismal friend was, remarking that he had seen him
somewhere before.
"It's the young man I've told you about, who's in love with Pansy."
"Ah yes, I remember. He looks rather bad."
"He has reason. My husband won't listen to him."
"What's the matter with him?" Lord Warburton enquired. "He seems
very harmless."
"He hasn't money enough, and he isn't very clever."
Lord Warburton listened with interest; he seemed struck with this
account of Edward Rosier. "Dear me; he looked a well-set-up young
fellow.
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