“You poor child!” murmured the earl, in a low tone. Then, speaking in a clearer voice, he asked:
“Rosemary, would you marry this young man without the approbation of your friends?”
“No, never,” she answered, solemnly.
“That is right. Now, then, if your friends were to counsel you to accept another suitor whom they approved, would you do so?”
“No, never,” replied the child, more emphatically than before.
“Then what would you do?”
“I would be an old maid, like Aunt Sukey. I never would marry Roland Bayard against the will of my mother and my aunt; nor would I ever marry any one else, even to please them. I would be a maiden lady, like Miss Susannah Grandiere.”
“Little true heart! Well, little friend, I will not try, through your guardians, to marry you against your will. Neither, I think, will I marry any one else. And in any case, we shall always be friends, shall we not, little sweet herb?”
“Always! And it is so good of you to say so!” exclaimed Rosemary, giving his hand another fond squeeze.
They sauntered on in silence until they overtook Wynnette and Elva, who had sat down on a garden seat to wait for them.