If I say to you, do not be too sanguine of either, I speak as a friend; as your mother might speak.

Lord Hartledon is already appropriated; and Val Elster is not worth appropriating." Was she mad?
Anne Ashton looked at her, really doubting it.

No, she was only vulgar-minded, and selfish, and utterly impervious to all sense of shame in her scheming.

Instinctively Anne moved a pace further off.
"I do not think Lord Hartledon is appropriated yet," spoke Anne, in a little spirit of mischievous retaliation.

"That some amongst his present guests would be glad to appropriate him may be likely enough; but what if he is not willing to be appropriated?
He said to Mr.Elster, last week, that they were wasting their time." "Who's Mr.Elster ?" cried the angry dowager.