'Then it would certainly be difficult to believe anything against her,' said Lord Selsey.
'Besides, she really wants me to marry someone else.'
'Who?'
'She's always trying to persuade me to propose to Hyacinth Verney … you know, that pretty girl, old Cannon's ward…. She is awfully pretty, of course, I know.'
'I should like to see her,' said Lord Selsey.
Cecil smiled. It was well known that Lord Selsey was a collector. Though no-one could have less of the pompous, fatuous vanity of the Don Juan, beauty had always played, and always would play, a very prominent part in his life. It was, in fact, without exception, his greatest pleasure, and interest—even passion. The temperament that gave to beauty and charm a rather inordinate value had, no doubt, descended to his nephew. But Cecil was, in that as in everything else, much less of a dilettante.
'You actually want me to advise you to persuade Mrs Raymond to marry you? My dear boy, how can I?'
'How is it you don't say she's quite right not to?' asked Cecil curiously.
'From her point of view I think she's quite wrong. As you're both practically free and you would marry her tomorrow—or this afternoon for choice—if she cared for you she would probably do it. Where I think she's wrong is in not caring for you…. Who is it?'
'I don't believe it's anyone. Eugenia's peculiar; she's very independent, very fantastic. She likes to do whatever comes into her head. She's very fascinating … but I shouldn't be at all surprised if she's absolutely cold; I mean, really never could care for any man at all.'