"Certainly," said her ladyship, dubiously; "but remember what I have always told you—sentiment is the ruin of everything."
And, as Lady Hampton spoke, there came before her the handsome face of Aubrey Langton. She prayed mentally that he might not appear again at Darrell Court until Lord Aynsley had proposed and had been accepted.
But Fate was not kind to her.
The next morning Lady Darrell received a letter from the captain, saying that, as the summer was drawing near, he should be very glad to pay his long-promised visit to Darrell Court. He hoped to be with them on Thursday evening.
Lady Darrell's fair face flushed as she read. He was coming, then, this man who above all others had taken her fancy captive—this man whom, with all her worldly scheming, she would have married without money if he had but asked her. He was coming, and he would see her in all the glory of her prosperity. He would be almost sure to fall in love with her; and she—well, it was not the first time that she whispered to her own heart how gladly she would love him. She was too excited by her pleasant news to be quite prudent. She must have a confidante—she must tell some one that he was coming.
She went to the study, where Miss Hastings and Pauline were busily engaged with some water-colors. She held the open letter in her hand.
"Miss Hastings, I have news for you," she said. "I know that all that interested Sir Oswald is full of interest for you. Pauline, you too will be pleased to hear that Captain Langton is coming. Sir Oswald loved him very much."
Pauline knew that, and had cause to regret it.
"I should be much pleased," continued Lady Darrell, "if, without interfering with your arrangements, you could help me to entertain him."
Miss Hastings looked up with a smile of assent.