The devoted parent nodded and smiled herself out of the gallery, consumed with a frantic inward longing to take her stubborn child by the shoulders and shake her into a more becoming frame of mind.
It was fortunate that she could not hear that child’s first remark after she had gone.
“My poor mother amuses me very much. She thinks she is such a deep schemer, and she is so transparent all the time.”
“You mustn’t ask me to take sides with an undutiful daughter,” responded Hammond. “May I sit down? I am lucky in finding you here.”
“There isn’t much luck about it,” said Victoria, bluntly, as she made way for him to sit beside her. “My mother knew you were coming, and ordered me to remain here to meet you.”
“The marchioness is very considerate,” replied Hammond, fairly taken aback by this extraordinary confidence.
“Yes, but I find it a little embarrassing sometimes,” Victoria remarked. “She is so very barefaced, you know. She positively throws me at eligible men. I hope you don’t mind having me thrown at you?”
“On the contrary, I find it rather agreeable than otherwise. You don’t hurt at all.”
“I am so glad. Tell me when you are tired, and I will make her leave off and throw me at some one else.”
“Isn’t there another alternative?” Hammond saw a faint color come into Victoria’s cheeks as he spoke, and went on quietly. “Do you know, I wanted to see you, to consult you about a letter that I received this morning.”