"My dear Ethel, it is much better that subject should not be discussed."
"I don't agree with you. Since I am going to marry John it can only be right and proper that I should be made aware of every detail connected with his former marriage."
When Lady Ethel adopted that tone, her mother knew by past experience that it was a saving of time and temper to yield.
"I only know that she was beneath him in position—a dancer, I believe, and she ran away with someone else. Really providential, I consider; it must have been a happy release for poor Sir John."
"He was plain Mr. Chetwynd."
"Yes; but already very popular. It was exceedingly fortunate that he did not get his baronetcy earlier, for had he done so, she would probably have refused to be faithless."
"I wonder if he felt her desertion much?"
"The world says not; they had lived unhappily for some time before, and the general impression was that he did not care in the least."
"But you spoke of her to him when he asked your consent to our marriage?"
"Yes, Ethel, I did; I referred to it as delicately as possible, of course. I believe I said, 'your early misfortune,' or something to that effect."