"And I shall have two new strings to my bow in the shape of Hetton and his cousin. By-the by, what is Hetton like? One can't judge of a man at a wedding breakfast," said Lucy.
"Oh, horsey; when you say that you say everything."
"I've a good mind to upset all your plans, Reginald, after all," said the girl. "Lady Hetton would look well on my cards. And then I should come in for the Walls End diamonds. By-the-way, are the Walls End diamonds black diamonds?"
"Bother Hetton; you've got about as much chance with him as with the old man, my dear," for it annoyed Haggard to see the slightest cloud to his prospects, even were it no bigger than a man's hand.
"Anyhow, there are two bachelors, Reginald, besides his lordship, who is hardly a bachelor, being, I suppose, wedded to art."
"Oh! three, my dear; you have forgotten my father; he, too, is aged, but impressionable. If you'll only talk about pigs, Lucy, and manifest an intelligent interest, especially in black ones, you can put my nose out of joint most effectually!"
"I should make a stern stepmother, Reginald."
"Of course, injusta noverca, and all the rest of it, I suppose. I don't know about the sternness, my dear, but I can answer for the crispness."
"Thank you for nothing, Reginald; however, I shall certainly take a dip in the lucky-bag at the Castle."
"By Jove, Lucy! there's Wolff for you."