"It will make the whole matter public," hesitated my lady.
"Yes, that is the one drawback. After all it does not matter," said Mr. Sewell, "many young men make simpletons of themselves in the same way. People do not pay much attention."
Lord Lanswell looked at his wife's handsome, inflexible face.
"It is a desperate thing to do, Lucia," he said, "for Lance loves her very dearly."
"It was a desperate action on his part to marry without consulting us," said my lady.
"He will be of age next June," said the earl, "do you think that he will be true to her?"
"No," said the countess, proudly. "I can safely pledge you my word that he will not."