I looked up so suddenly that Mr Raymond answered my eyes before he replied to Miss Newton’s words.
“No, Miss Courtenay, I did not come with ill news. I suppose a man may have two reasons at different times for the same action?”
“Where is our handsome friend of the dreadful name?” asked Miss Newton.
“Mr Hebblethwaite? He told me he could not be here this evening.”
“That man will have to change his name before anybody will marry him,” said Miss Newton.
“Then, if he takes my advice, he will continue in single blessedness,” was Mr Raymond’s answer.
“Now, why?”
“Do you not think it would be preferable to marrying a woman whose regard for you was limited by the alphabet?”
“Mr Raymond, you and Miss Courtenay do say such odd things! Is that because you are religious people?”
Oh, what a strange feeling came over me when Miss Newton said that! What made her count me a “religious person”? Am I one? I should not have dared to say it. I should like to be so; I am afraid to go further. To reckon myself one would be to sign my name as a queen, and I am not sufficiently sure of my royal blood to do it.