And he showed her around so
well, and her fine looks made such an impression, that within three
months he had her married to a lord's son--the heir to Lord Ilverton's
estates and title. And now she's a made woman, and he's a made man,
and what do you think of that for a lucky brother and a clever sister?
And yet, compared with Fanny--"
"Do you mean to say," interrupted Philip, in a low voice, "that you
have ever thought of Fanny as a partner in such a plan?"
"Little use to think of her," replied Ned, contemptuously. "She hasn't
the spirit. I'm afraid there ain't many sisters like Mullaney's. Poor
Fan wouldn't even listen--"
"Did you dare propose it to her?" said Phil. My own feelings were too
strong for speech.
"Dare!" repeated Ned. "Why not? 'Twould have made her fortune--"
"Upon my word," put in Mr. Cornelius, no longer able to contain his
opinions, "I never heard of such rascality!"
Something in the pedagogue's tone, I suppose, or in Ned's stage of
tipsiness at the moment, gave the speech an inflammatory effect. Ned
stared a moment at the speaker, in amazement. Then he said, with
aroused insolence:
"What's this, Mr. Parson? What have _you_ to say here? My sister is
_my_ sister, let me tell you--"
"If she knew you as well as I do now," retorted Cornelius, quietly,
"she wouldn't boast of the relationship."
"What the devil!" cried Ned, in an elevated voice, thus drawing the
attention of the four or five other people in the room.
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