Joddrell, who has no more ear than a post, went and married her, because
he had a mind to set up for a connoisseur in music; and Mrs. Stanhope
flattered him that he was one."

The gentlemen joined in the general laugh: the tragic muse sighed.

"Even were she at the School for Scandal, the tragic muse dare not laugh,
except behind her mask," said Clarence Hervey.

"Far be it from her to laugh at those follies which she must for ever
deplore!" said Belinda, in a feigned voice.--"What miseries spring from
these ill-suited marriages! The victims are sacrificed before they have
sense enough to avoid their fate."

Clarence Hervey imagined that this speech alluded to Lady Delacour's own
marriage.

"Damn me if I know any woman, young or old, that would _avoid_ being
married, if she could, though," cried Sir Philip Baddely, a gentleman who
always supplied "each vacuity of sense" with an oath: "but, Rochfort,
didn't Valleton marry one of these nieces?"

"Yes: she was a mighty fine dancer, and had good legs enough: Mrs.
Stanhope got poor Valleton to fight a duel about her place in a country
dance, and then he was so pleased with himself for his prowess, that he
married the girl."

Belinda made an effort to change her seat, but she was encompassed so that
she could not retreat.