“I wish to make his acquaintance and yours, as I am staying in the neighbourhood, and I, remember, I am related to the family Von Zwenken by my mother’s side.”
“So much the worse for you. At the Castle relationship is a bad recommendation.”
“That I have already heard; but I am not a Roselaer, I am a Van Zonshoven, Freule—Leopold van Zonshoven,” I said, introducing myself.
“I have never heard the name before. However, as you are not a Roselaer you perhaps stand a better chance of a kind reception. But is it quite certain you do not come to trouble the General about business?”
“In that case I should have sent a lawyer, with orders not to inconvenience Miss Mordaunt.”
“Then you would have done wrong,” she rejoined, becoming serious. “The General is over seventy, and has had a life full of trouble; and I will not try to conceal from you that he has many cares and difficulties to contend with even now. It is for this reason I desire you to tell me without reserve the object of your visit. Perhaps I can find some means——”
“I protest to you that my greatest desire is to assist you in sparing your grandfather all annoyance.”
“The sentiment does you honour, but it leads me to doubt your relationship, for it is contrary to all our family traditions.”
“There are exceptions to every rule, as you know, and I hope to prove myself an exception in your family traditions.”
“Then you shall be welcome at the Werve also by exception, for as a rule we admit no new faces.”