The droll directness of the question was too much for Nelly; she laughed outright.
"I really cannot tell you," she replied; "she ought to have been here long ago; but no doubt she will come now."
"I hope so," said Mr. Dort with fervent seriousness. "I should think she would soon come."
And then he retired modestly to a garden-seat and softly repeated the phrases, which he began to find it desperately difficult to retain in his memory.
Robert Meredith had adhered with some tenacity to the croquet-party, and had been a witness to this little scene. The amusement, just a little dashed with pique, which Eleanor displayed did not escape him.
"He is an original, certainly," said Meredith, "which, for the sake of humanity, it is to be hoped will not be extensively copied. I fancy he will propose to-day."
"Very likely," said Nelly; "every one knows he, or his mother, has intended it for a long time. In fact, Gerty rather wants to have it over, as Mr. Dort is not a bad creature, and the sooner he understands that, though she has no notion of marrying him, he may come here all the same, the pleasanter it will be for all parties."
"Of course she _has_ no notion of marrying him?"
"Mr. Meredith, you are insulting! Gerty marry Matt Dort--an idiot like that!"
"An idiot with an old title and a castle to match, in not distant perspective, combination of county influence, &c. &c. &c.," said Meredith, smiling; "not so very improbable, after all."