"Had we not better wait a little, mamma?"
"Why, my love? You hardly know how anxious your brother is for your welfare."
"I knew it was right to tell you, mamma—"
"Right to tell me! of course it was. You could not have had the heart to keep it from me for half a day."
"But perhaps it may be better not to mention it further till we know—"
"Till we know what?" said the countess with a look of fear about her brow.
"Whether Sir Thomas and Lady Fitzgerald will wish it. If they object—"
"Object! why should they object? how can they object? They are not mercenary people; and you are an earl's daughter. And Herbert is not like a girl. The property is his own, entailed on him, and he may do as he pleases."
"In such a matter I am sure he would not wish to displease either his father or his mother."
"Nonsense, my dear; quite nonsense; you do not at all see the difference between a young man and a girl. He has a right to do exactly as he likes in such a matter. But I am quite sure that they will not object. Why should they? How can they?"