"Can she? But perhaps you fail in the cleverness also?"
"I think you are excessively rude and disagreeable," I say, much affronted, and getting up, move with dignity towards the door.
"If you see Ashurst tell him I want him," calls out Marmaduke as I reach it.
"Yes; and at the same time I shall tell him you said he was a dunce at college," I return, in a withering tone.
Marmaduke laughs, and, dropping the precious gun, runs after me, catches and draws me back into his sanctum.
"I think Dora and Ashurst two of the most intellectual people it has ever been my good fortune to meet," he says, still laughing, and holding me. "Will that do? Is your majesty appeased?"
"I wouldn't tell fibs, if I were you," return I, severely.
"Say lies. I hate the word 'fib.' A lie sounds much more honest. But I am really in earnest when I say I think Dora clever. I know at least twenty girls who have done their best to be made Lady Ashurst, and not one of them ever came as near success as she has."
"But he has not proposed to her yet."
"It is the same thing. Any one can see that he has Dora on the brain, and I don't think (asking your pardon humbly) his brain would stand much pressure. I'd lay any amount she has him at her feet before his visit is concluded."