"Whatever do you mean?" said Fanny. The Marshams to her were, so far,
mere shadows. They represented rich people on the horizon whom Diana
selfishly wished to keep to herself.
"I'm telling tales, I declare I am!" said Mr. Birch. "Haven't you seen
Mr. Oliver Marsham yet, Miss Merton?"
"No. I don't know anything about him."
"Ah!" said Mr. Birch, smiling, and peeling an apple with deliberation.
Fanny flushed.
"Is there anything up--between him and Diana?" she said in his ear.
Mr. Birch smiled again.
"I saw old Mr. Vavasour the other day--clients of ours, you understand.
A close-fisted old boy, Miss Merton. They imagined they'd get a good
deal out of your cousin. But not a bit of it. Oliver Marsham does all
her business for her. The Vavasours don't like it, I can tell you."
"I haven't seen either him or Lady Lucy--is that her name?--since I
came."
"Let me see. You came about a fortnight ago--just when Parliament
reassembled. Mr. Marsham is our member. He and Lady Lucy went up to town
the day before Parliament met."
"And what about Miss Drake?"
"Ah!--poor Miss Drake!" Mr. Birch raised a humorous eyebrow.
Pages:
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246