"You ordered me to marry. I am marrying. And you are violating your promise. But I expected it."
"My promise? What do you mean?"
"You told me if I'd marry you'd continue my allowance after marriage. You even hinted you'd increase it."
"But this is no marriage. I should consider a connection between such a man and a Severence as a mere vulgar intrigue. You might as well run away with a coachman. I have known few coachmen so ill-bred—so repellent—as this Craig."
Margaret laughed cheerfully. "He isn't what you'd call polished, is he?"
Her grandmother studied her keenly. "Margaret," she finally said, "this is some scheme of yours. You are using this engagement to help you to something else."
"I refused Grant Arkwright just before you came."
"You—refused—Arkwright?"
"My original plan was to trap Grant by making him jealous of Craig. But I abandoned it."
"And why?"