"Lacey came here to ask whether you would like him to call."
"Of course I should like him to call."
"Against his father's wishes. Lord Fillingford did not forbid him to come, but expressed his hope that the relations between the two houses would be kept as distant as courtesy allowed. I told Lacey that, in view of his father's wish, it would be better for him not to call. He said he'd think it over. It was a question between loyalty to his father and admiration of you."
"Admiration?" Jenny was listening with a slight smile.
"Rather, of your behavior—especially about Margaret. He's enthusiastic about that—he thinks it splendidly brave. In case he decided against calling, he wanted you to know that."
"He would have decided against it?"
"I can't tell. He meant to think it over."
"I came down just by accident. I was going for a stroll when I saw you. And I came down on the chance—the chance of something amusing, Austin." She frowned a little. "I don't think I much like Mr. Dormer."
"Rather a conceited fellow."
She broke into a smile again. "But he may come in very convenient."