“Merrenden, as you know, is the best judge of shooting in England,” Lady Katherine went on, in an injured voice. “Sophia is hardly likely to recommend his nephew so highly if he were not pretty good.”
“But you don’t know the puppy, Katherine.”
My heart fell.
“That is not the least consequence—we are almost related. Merrenden is my first cousin, you forget that, I suppose!”
Fortunately I could detect that Lady Katherine was becoming obstinate and offended. I drank some more coffee. Oh! how lovely if Lord Robert comes!
Mr. Montgomerie “Bur-r-r-ed” a lot first, but Lady Katherine got him round, and before breakfast was over, it was decided she should write to Lord Robert, and ask him to come to the shoot. As we were all standing looking out of the window at the dripping rain, I heard her say in a low voice,
“Really, Anderson, we must think of the girls sometimes. Torquilstone is a confirmed bachelor and a cripple—Lord Robert will certainly one day be Duke.”
“Well, catch him if you can,” said Mr. Montgomerie. He is coarse sometimes!
I am not going to let myself think much about Lord Robert—Mr. Carruthers has been a lesson to me—but if he does come—I wonder if Lady Katherine will think it funny of me not saying I knew him when she first spoke of him. It is too late now, so it can’t be helped.