Had you not been one of the sweetest girls that ever was born, he would not have loved you." "He has loved me because there was no one else here," said Clara.
"Nonsense! No one else here, indeed! Has he not the power if he pleases to go and choose whomever he will in all London.

Had he been mercenary, and wanted money," said the countess, in a tone which showed how thoroughly she despised any such vice, "he might have had what he would.

But then he could not have had my Clara.

But he has looked for beauty and manners and high-bred tastes, and an affectionate heart; and, in my opinion, he could not have been more successful in his search." After which second burst of eloquence, she again kissed her daughter.
'Twas thus, at that moment, that she congratulated the wife of the future Sir Herbert Fitzgerald; and then she allowed Clara to go up to her own room, there to meditate quietly on what she had done, and on that which she was about to do.

But late in the evening, Lady Desmond, whose mind was thoroughly full of the subject, again broke out into triumph.
"You must write to Patrick to-morrow, Clara.