"Jaqueline ought to sober down a little," said her father. "And there is no need of a long engagement. The Carringtons will be anxious for the marriage—well," laughingly, "more anxious than we. But I think most men are pleased when their daughters marry well. And we have four."
"We need not think of the younger ones for several years," Mrs. Mason said with a smile.
"Varina ought to go to school somewhere, or to Aunt Catharine. Patty improved wonderfully. And Charles—"
"I think Charles is doing very well. Louis admits that he studies beyond his years. And he seems to me not over-robust. I would certainly wait another year."
Jaqueline begged her brother to say nothing about the engagement. It was so recent, and she would not be married in some time.
"You'll be flirting with everybody."
"Oh, don't grudge me a week's pleasure! After that I will be as staid as any grandmother."
"Carrington isn't the fellow to stand much nonsense when the rights are all on his side. I advise you to be careful."
"Why, I am going to be, even now. Of course Mr. Ralston is different from the others. We have been friends so long."
Ralston was safe enough, Louis thought. And one couldn't quite blame Jaqueline. She did not flirt openly like Betty Fairfax; and now Betty was devotion itself to her lover, and she was to be married in the early autumn. In fact, Louis had not felt satisfied to be so entirely crowded out when he had been one of Betty's favorites.