As he was still violently in love with Lady Laura, any other love was of course impossible; but, nevertheless, there was something offensive to him in the story as it had been told.

"If it be wisdom on her part," said he, answering Lady Laura's last words, "you cannot find fault with her for her decision." "I find no fault;--but I think my brother would make her happy." Lady Laura, when she was left alone, at once reverted to the tone in which Phineas Finn had answered her remarks about Miss Effingham.
Phineas was very ill able to conceal his thoughts, and wore his heart almost upon his sleeve.

"Can it be possible that he cares for her himself ?" That was the nature of Lady Laura's first question to herself upon the matter.

And in asking herself that question, she thought nothing of the disparity in rank or fortune between Phineas Finn and Violet Effingham.

Nor did it occur to her as at all improbable that Violet might accept the love of him who had so lately been her own lover.