‘The Vidame de la Lain will be staying with you?’
‘Naturally,’ said Mrs. Malory. ‘And if there is any truth in what was whispered—’
‘He will be subject to temptation,’ said Merton.
‘Mrs. Brown-Smith is so pretty and so amusing, and dear Matilda; she takes after my dear husband’s family, though the best of girls, Matilda has not that flashing manner.’
‘But surely no such thing as temptation should exist for a man so fortunate as de la Lain! And if it did, would his conduct not confirm what you have heard, and open the eyes of Miss Malory?’
‘It seems so odd to be discussing such things with—so young a man as you—not even a relation,’ sighed Mrs. Malory.
‘I can withdraw at once,’ said Merton.
‘Oh no, please don’t speak of that! I am not really at all happy yet about my daughter’s future.’
‘Well, suppose the worst by way of argument; suppose that you saw, that Miss Malory saw—’
‘Matilda has always refused to see or to listen, and has spoken of the reforming effects of a pure affection. She would be hard, indeed, to convince that anything was wrong, but, once certain—I know Matilda’s character—she would never forgive the insult, never.’