So she held her tongue and watched.
The servants at the Hall watched the whole game, and saw how the young
people were pairing, and talked them over very freely.
The only person in the dark was Colonel Clifford. He was nearly always
confined to his room. However, one day he came down, and found Julia and
Percy together. She introduced Percy to him. The Colonel was curt, but
grumpy, and Percy soon beat a retreat.
The Colonel sent for Walter to his room. He did not come for some time,
because he was wooing Mary Bartley.
Colonel Clifford's first word was, "Who was that little stuttering dandy
I caught spooning _your_ Julia?"
"Only Percy Fitzroy."
"Only Percy Fitzroy! Never despise your rivals, sir. Always remember that
young women are full of vanity, and expect to be courted all day long. I
will thank you not to leave the field open a single day till you have
secured the prize."
"What prize, sir?"
"What prize, you ninny? Why, the beautiful girl that can buy back
Oddington and Drayton, peaches and fruit and all.
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