"Poor Mrs. Faber, she goes through a good deal for your sake, Toney!"
"But you'll just both help me, won't you, and make people talk and introduce anybody to anybody. It takes too much time to remember who may speak to who, according to Aunt Dove, that it's better to forget it all."
"Poor county! You are going against its most cherished ideas," said Lewis, secretly glorying in Toney's courage.
"I can't help it. Mr. Russell is studying the Peerage this morning and he'll cover up my mistakes. Anyhow, I may count on you two? Now I'm off as there are several things to think out for the great romance! First I am going to meet him at the station and drive him home alone. Good-bye. You'll have a nice walk home."
Toney disappeared swiftly as usual, and Lewis walked a few minutes in silence by his cousin, considering why Toney classed them together so pointedly. Maud had not noticed it, her mind was full of another idea.
"Oh, Lewis, I believe Mr. Lang is in love with Toney! Wouldn't it be lovely if she became chief lady in the county!"
"Edward Lang! What nonsense! Who said it?" Lewis dug his stick into the ground rather savagely.
"I put two and two together."
"Do you think Toney would—marry him?"
"If she could be persuaded he cared about her and not her money."