"Why not, Harry?"
"Because I know he would not make her happy. What good would such a marriage do her?"
"Think of her position. No one will visit her unless she is first received here, or at any rate unless she comes to us in town. And then it would be up-hill work. Do you know Lord Ongar had absolutely determined at one time to—to get a divorce?"
"And do you believe that she was guilty?"
"I don't say that. No; why should I believe anything against my own sister when nothing is proved. But that makes no difference, if the world believes it. They say now that if he had lived three months longer she never would have got the money."
"Then they say lies. Who is it says so? A parcel of old women who delight in having some one to run down and backbite. It is all false, Lady Clavering."
"But what does it signify, Harry? There she is, and you know how people are talking. Of course it would be best for her to marry again; and if she would take Archie,—Sir Hugh's brother, my brother-in-law, nothing further would be said. She might go anywhere then. As her sister, I feel sure that it is the best thing she could do."
Harry's brow became clouded, and there was a look of anger on his face as he answered her.
"Lady Clavering," he said, "your sister will never marry my cousin Archie. I look upon the thing as impossible."
"Perhaps it is, Harry, that you,—you yourself would not wish it."