“You did? and suppose my lord says no?”
“Oh, mamma, he will not?”
“Suppose he does?”
“I should wait till he consented, I couldn’t change. But indeed, mamma, he has quite enough money.”
“The little mercenary thing! She has thought of that!”
“No—no—but I thought there could be nothing else, he is so good.”
“Now look here, Amethyst,” said Lady Haredale, standing up, and laying her hand on the girl’s shoulder, “this is your first fancy?”
“Mother!”
“Well, yes, I supposed so. Now listen, and no one shall say I don’t tell you all the truth. You are a beauty. That is a very different thing from being a pretty girl. You would have—I could ensure your having—a great success, and you might make a very great marriage. I don’t think many mothers would let you marry in the country at eighteen. But, on the other hand, we’re as poor as rats, as you know; if you marry young Leigh you are provided for, and if you think you love him—I believe she is in love with him—all my children are susceptible! No, I won’t talk you out of it.”
“Talking could not make any difference,” said Amethyst; then suddenly—“Oh, mamma, I don’t want to be wilful, I will try to be good, but please—please don’t say I must not!”