"Not at all. I can eat, and you can talk to me. Take a cup of tea at any rate." The Earl rang for another teacup, and began to butter his toast.
"I believe your lordship knows that I have long been engaged to marry your lordship's cousin,—Lady Anna Lovel."
"Indeed I have been told so."
"By herself."
"Well;—yes; by herself."
"I have been allowed to see her but once during the last eight or nine months."
"That has not been my fault, Mr. Thwaite."
"I want you to understand, my lord, that it is not for her money that I have sought her."
"I have not accused you, surely."
"But I have been accused. I am going to see her now,—if I can get admittance to her. I shall press her to fix a day for our marriage, and if she will do so, I shall leave no stone unturned to accomplish it. She has a right to do with herself as she pleases, and no consideration shall stop me but her wishes."