‘But he has relations here,’ said Jane. ‘His cousin was an officer in Jasper Merrifield’s regiment.’
She hoped to have been saying a word in the cause of the young people, but she regretted her attempt, for Lady Rotherwood replied—
‘I have heard of them. A very undeserving family, are they not?’
Gillian, whom Miss Elworthy was trying to entertain, heard, and could not help colouring all over, face, neck, and ears, all the more for so much hating the flush and feeling it observed.
Miss Mohun’s was a very decided, ‘I should have said quite the reverse.’
‘Indeed! Well, I heard the connection lamented, for his sake, by—what was her name? Mrs. Stirling—or—’
‘Mrs. Stebbing,’ said Adeline. ‘You don’t mean that she has actually called on you?’
‘Is there any objection to her?’ asked Lady Rotherwood, with a glance to see whether the girl was listening.
‘Oh no, no! only he is a mere mason—or quarryman, who has grown rich,’ said Adeline.
The hostess gave a little dry laugh.