“If I might see Sir Harry! I must make him forgive me.”
“I will see whether he is ready.”
Could Frank’s eyes have penetrated the walls, he would have seen Lady Tyrrell received with the words, “Well, my dear, I hope you have got rid of the young man—poor fellow!”
“I am afraid that cannot be done without your seeing him yourself.”
“Hang it! I hate it! I can’t abide it, Camilla. He’s a nice lad, though he is his mother’s son; and Lenore’s heart is set on him, and I can’t bear vexing the child.”
“Lena cares for him only because she met him before she knew what life is like. After one season she will understand what five hundred a year means.”
“Well, you ought to know your sister best; but if the lad has spoken to her, Lena is not the girl to stand his getting his congé so decidedly.”
“Exactly; it would only lead to heroics, and deepen the mischief.”
“Hang it! Then what do you want me to say?”
“Stand up for your rights, and reduce him to submission by displeasure at not having been consulted. Then explain how there can be no engagement at once; put him on his honour to leave her free till after her birthday in November.”