"Perhaps he does. But Jack is bound to be amusing, while John need not have a word to say for himself."
"You know he's my pet friend. We are almost like brother and sister, and therefore I need not be afraid of him."
"Afraid of him! Why should anybody be afraid of him?"
"I am sure you needn't. But Jack has done mischief in his time. Perhaps he's not the sort of man that would ever touch your fancy." Again Lady George blushed, but on this occasion she had nothing to say. She did not want to quarrel with Mrs. Houghton, and the suggestion that she could possibly love any other man than her husband had not now been made in so undisguised a manner as before.
"I thought he was engaged to Miss Mildmay," said Lady George.
"Oh, dear no; nothing of the kind. It is impossible, as neither of them has anything to speak of. When does Lord George come back?"
"To-morrow."
"Mind that he comes to see me soon. I do so long to hear what he'll say about his new sister-in-law. I had made up my mind that I should have to koto to you before long as a real live marchioness."
"You'll never have to do that."
"Not if this child is a real Lord Popenjoy. But I have my hopes still, my dear."