"You told him! What do you mean?" and she leaned forward a little.
"I don't quite know what I did mean—those words just slipped out."
She lay back on her pillows—poor grandmamma—as if she was exhausted.
"Child," she said, very low, "yes—never forget we have given our word; whatever happens, any change is too late."
A look of anguish came over her face. Oh, how it hurt me to see her suffering!
"Dear grandmamma," said, "do not think I mind. I have done and will do all you wish, and—and—as the Marquis said—it will not matter in a year."
The Marquis, I believe, had been dozing, but at the sound of his name he looked up and spoke.
"Chère amie, you can indeed be proud of la belle débutante to-night; she was by far the most beautiful at the ball—sans exception! Even the adorable Lady Tilchester had not her grand air. Les demoiselles anglaises! Ce sont des fagotages inouïs pour la plus part, with their movements of the wooden horse and their skins of the goddess! As for le fiancé, il était assez retenu, il avait pourtant l'air maussade, mais il se consolait avec du champagne—il fera un très brave mari."
V
The next day Augustus went to London by the early train. I fortunately saw the dog-cart coming, and rushed to tell Hephzibah to say I was not up if he stopped, which of course he did on his way to the station. He left a message for me. He would be back at half-past four, would come in to tea. The Marquis and I were to dine there in the evening, so I am sure that would be time enough to have seen him. Grandmamma said it was no doubt the engagement-ring he had gone to London to buy, and that I really must receive it with a good grace.