“None,” said she, blushing at the pertinacity with which he clung to the theme; “but it's of no consequence.”
“Would Miss Dalton think it very singular if I should be able to assist her memory? Would she accept the service as kindly as it was proffered, too?”
“Really, my Lord, you begin to speak in riddles,” said she, more than ever piqued at his persistence.
“And yet,” said he, following out the thread of his own thoughts, “I am assuredly as safe a counsellor as Albert Jekyl.”
Kate grew deadly pale, but never replied to this speech.
“And certainly,” resumed he, “the man who speaks in his own name should ever take precedence of an envoy.”
“My Lord,” said she, firmly, “the very little which I can understand of your words implies a pretension to knowledge and influence over me which I disdain to accept; but still I cannot believe that you seriously mean to insult me.”
“Of course not,” said he; “I have come on a very different errand. If I did passingly allude to bygones, it was to show you that you can afford to be candid when I am frank. We two, united, would walk over the course, and no mistake, that 's what I was coming to. I don't mean to say that the Russian is not richer egad! there 's no disputing that, still, as to rank, a peer of Great Britain, I take it, is the equal of any man. Not to remind you of the old adage about 'a bird in the hand' I speak frankly, because you are your own mistress.”
“Kate, if Lord Norwood will excuse you, come to me for one instant,” cried Lady Hester.
“Just say yes, before you go, or, if not yes, tell me that I have ground for hope,” whispered Norwood. But she arose without speaking.