"A farmer's niece—an underbred, forward, designing, vulgar country girl—to be Countess of Lanswell," cried my lady, in horror.
"Nay," said the earl, "she is a farmer's niece, it is true, but she is not vulgar."
"It is not possible that she can be presentable," said my lady. "We must move heaven and earth to set the marriage aside."
"I had not thought of that," said the earl, simply.
Then my lady took the lace mantilla from her shoulders, and sat down at the writing-table.
"I will send for Mr. Sewell," she said. "If any one can give us good advice, he can."
Mr. Sewell was known as one of the finest, keenest, and cleverest lawyers in England; he had been for more than twenty years agent for the Lanswells of Cawdor. He knew every detail of their history, every event that happened; and the proud countess liked him, because he was thoroughly conservative in all his opinions. She sent for him now as a last resource; the carriage was sent to his office, so that he might lose no time. In less than an hour the brisk, energetic lawyer stood before the distressed parents, listening gravely to the story of the young heir's marriage.
"Have you seen the girl?" he asked.
"Yes, I have seen her," said the earl.
"Is she presentable?" he inquired. "Would any degree of training enable her to take her rank——"