‘And I do believe that if the whole family are unanimous in scouting the very idea, she will give it up. She is proud of Mohun blood, and the Rotherwood connection and all, and if there were a desperate opposition—well, she would be rather flattered, and give in; but I am not sure that she would not always regret it, and pine after what she might have had.’
‘Rotherwood likes the man.’
‘Like—but that’s not liking him to marry his cousin.’
‘Rotherwood will not be the person most shocked.’
‘No. We shall have a terrible time, however it ends. Oh. I wish it was all over!’
‘Do you think she really cares for the man—loves him, in fact?’
‘My dear Lily, if Ada ever was in love with anybody, it was with Harry May, and that was all pure mistake. I never told anybody, but I believe it was that which upset her health. But they are both too old to concern themselves about such trifles. He does not expect it!’
‘I have seen good strong love in a woman over forty.’
‘Yes; but this is quite another thing. A lady of the house wanted! That’s the motive. I should not wonder if he came home as much to look for a lady-wife as to set the Stebbings to rights; or, if not, he is driven to it by having the Whites on his hands.’
‘I don’t quite see that. I was going to ask you how it would affect them.’