And with a graceful bow to both ladies, he retired to the opposite door to that by which they had just entered.
“Aren’t you a little rough with the poor creature?” asked Victoria, in a tone of compassion as he disappeared. “You will break him some day.”
“Do you realize what I have just told you?” said her mother, ignoring the remark.
“I have forgotten. Wasn’t it something about an offer of marriage? Who did you say it was this time?”
“You will drive me distracted! Now, listen to me; this may be your last chance. If you refuse Mr. Hammond you may never get another offer.”
“There is always Gerald to fall back upon.”
“Another decent offer, I mean,” was the stern retort. “Of course, you can always marry. I dare say a dean or a county court judge, or some one of that sort, would be willing to take you with nothing but your clothes. But this is the last respectable match I shall offer you. I have taken the greatest pains to bring this man to the point, and if you refuse him now I sha’n’t try again.”
“You frighten me, mother. I hope you haven’t been resorting to extreme measures against Mr. Hammond! You haven’t been putting pressure on him by threatening to reveal his past?”
The marchioness shook her head impatiently.
“Answer me plainly, Victoria: do you intend to accept him?”