Conolly followed him to a secluded part of the shrubbery, where they sat down on a bench.
“Is there anything up?” said Marmaduke, much oppressed.
“Will you excuse my speaking without ceremony?”
“Oh, certainly. Fire away!”
“Thank you. I must then tell you that the relations between you and Lady Constance are a source of anxiety to her brother. You know the way men feel bound to look after their sisters. You have, I believe, sisters of your own?”
Marmaduke nodded, and stole a doubtful glance at Conolly’s face.
“It appears that Lord Carbury has all along considered your courtship too cool to be genuine. In this view he was quite unsupported, the Countess being strongly in your favor, and the young lady devoted to you.”
“Well, I knew all that. At least, I suspected it. What is up now?”
“This. The fact of your having taken a villa here has reached the ears of the family at Carbury. They are, not unnaturally, curious to know what use a bachelor can have for such an establishment.”
“But I have my rooms in Clarges Street still. This is not my house. It was taken for another person.”