They all took their places with a lugubrious but business-like air, as aware that they were sacrificing themselves in the performance of a sad duty.

But Morton was not allowed to dance in the same quadrille with the lady of his affections.

Lady Penwether explained to him that she and her brother had better divide themselves,--for the good of the company generally,--and therefore he and Arabella were also divided.
A rumour had reached Lady Penwether of the truth in regard to their guests from Bragton.

Mr.Gotobed had whispered to her that he had understood that they certainly were engaged; and, even before that, the names of the two lovers had been wafted to her ears from the other side of the Atlantic.

Both John Morton and Lady Augustus were "somebodies," and Lady Penwether generally knew what there was to be known of anybody who was anybody.