I used to think he would fall on his legs." "He is a clever fellow." "Then why is he such a fool as to marry such a girl as this, without money, good looks, or breeding?
It's well for you he is such a fool, or else you wouldn't have a chance." "I don't see that at all," said Archie.
"Julia always had a sneaking fondness for Harry, and if he had waited would have taken him now.

She was very near making a fool of herself with him once, before Lord Ongar turned up." To this Archie said nothing, but he changed color, and it may almost be said of him that he blushed.

Why he was affected in so singular a manner by his brother's words will be best explained by a statement of what took place in the back drawing-room a little later in the evening.
When Harry reached the drawing-room he went up to Lady Clavering, but she said nothing to him then of especial notice.

She was talking to Mrs.
Clavering while the rector was reading--or pretending to read--a review and the two girls were chattering together in another part of the room.
Then they had coffee, and after a while the two other men came in from their wine.

Lady Clavering did not move at once, but she took the first opportunity of doing so, when Sir Hugh came up to Mrs.Clavering and spoke a word to her.