She looked at him with the air of a person expecting an answer, and expecting a truthful answer.
"I am not so fortunate," replied he, trying to make his horse appear fidgety, without incurring observation.
"Then I may contradict that report?" asked Lady Harriet quickly. "Or is there any reason for believing that in time it may come true? I ask because such reports, if unfounded, do harm to young ladies."
"Keep other sweethearts off," put in Lord Cumnor, looking a good deal pleased at his own discernment. Lady Harriet went on:—
"And I take a great interest in Miss Gibson."
Mr. Preston saw from her manner that he was "in for it," as he expressed it to himself. The question was, how much or how little did she know?
"I have no expectation or hope of ever having a nearer interest in Miss Gibson than I have at present. I shall be glad if this straightforward answer relieves your ladyship from your perplexity."
He could not help the touch of insolence that accompanied these last words. It was not in the words themselves, nor in the tone in which they were spoken, nor in the look which accompanied them, it was in all; it implied a doubt of Lady Harriet's right to question him as she did; and there was something of defiance in it as well. But this touch of insolence put Lady Harriet's mettle up; and she was not one to check herself, in any course, for the opinion of an inferior.
"Then, sir! are you aware of the injury you may do to a young lady's reputation if you meet her, and detain her in long conversations, when she is walking by herself, unaccompanied by any one? You give rise—you have given rise to reports."
"My dear Harriet, are not you going too far? You don't know—Mr. Preston may have intentions—unacknowledged intentions."