Patrick thought it a very good joke, and the notion of a prince paying addresses to his sister provoked him to laughter whenever he happened to think of it.
"Odious boy!" Elizabeth said, trying to frown. "Pray, why should he not? I hope I am as respectable as Tyley Long, and I believe it to be a fact that the Duke has proposed to her several times".
"What, the Pocket Venue?" exclaimed Patrick. "I did not know that! I thought Wellesley Poole was casting his eyes in her direction".
"Very possible", said Elizabeth, looking scornful. "I ought to be flattered at his casting his eyes first in my direction, I suppose. Sometimes, Parte, I could wish that I had been born merely to a respectable competence instead of to a fortune".
"Stuff!" replied Patrick. "You would not like that at all, l
