Great was the amazement of the Honorable Gerald when he heard of the good fortune that had befallen Lois.
“By Jove! what a crotchety old dolt!” was his exclamation. “Why couldn’t he leave the girl untrammeled?”
But he said it to himself, for Lois was standing by.
Lady Quaintree asked her what she was going to do.
“To remain exactly as I am, dearest madam.”
“Absurd! Impossible, my love!”
“If you wish me to be happy,” Lois pleaded, “you will let me go on as I have done for these four peaceful years. I wish for no change.”
Her ladyship glanced keenly from her son to Lois and back again, but without perceiving the slightest sign that the desire expressed by Lois might be dictated by some deeper feeling than affection for herself.
“Well, my dear, be it as you will. Let us make no change for the present, if it so please you. All I bargain for is that we do a little delightful shopping for your benefit, darling. You must shine with the bravest. Frank asked if we could go to his office to see the original will; but my lord has undertaken to see that everything is right, and to save us all trouble.”
Again she glanced at Lois’ face as she pronounced the name of her nephew; but not a ray of conscious pleasure, not a blush, betrayed a spark of interest.