The old lady broke in with a groan.
"Margaret, no good will come of your going to the picture gallery! Mark my words! It isn't—isn't proper and right like! And you've seen him. Did he speak to you?"
"Very much," said Margaret, smiling, but pensively. "He asked me if I weren't going in to dinner with him!"
"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mrs. Hale, lifting her hands. "Took you for a lady! Dear, now!"
"Yes; isn't it strange?" said Margaret, with great irony.
"Well—I don't know that," said the old lady, eying the graceful figure and lovely, refined face. "But, Margaret——"
"Well, grandma?" said Margaret, as the old lady hesitated.
"Well, I was going to say that—that—you must be careful!"
"Careful? What of?" said Margaret smiling. "Does Lord Blair bite, as well as the earl? What am I to be careful of, grandma?"
The old lady frowned.