"Oh, Philip, dear, it distressed me so much!"
"Why should it distress you, mother?—it is nothing to us."
"Well, if you feel in that way about it—still, I am grieved for the Adairs' sake. After all, they are old friends of ours. And I had hoped——"
"Our hopes are not often realized, are they?" said Sir Philip, in the gentle, persuasive tones that his mother thought so winning. "Perhaps it is best. At any rate, it is best to forget the hopes that never can be realized."
"Do you think it is really so, Philip? Everyone was talking about his manner this afternoon."
"She was giving him every encouragement," said her son, looking away.
"Such an undesirable match! Poor Lady Caroline!"
"We do not know how things are being arranged, mother. Possibly Lady Caroline and Mr. Adair are favoring an engagement. Miss Adair is hardly likely to act against their will."
"No, she has scarcely resolution enough for that. Then you don't think that they met for the first time this afternoon?"
"Gracious heavens, no!" said Sir Philip, roused a little out of his apparent indifference. "They met quite as old acquaintances—old friends. I suppose the Adairs have renewed the friendship. The properties lie side by side. That may be a reason."