“Have you forgotten that in case of my marriage he was to act as your guardian?”
She had.
“Probably he will wish you to live in Eaton Square with them, and I scarcely think you will find this agreeable.”
Anne’s refuge was silence and a smile. Lady Dalrymple wished to wound, but not to break with her, for the Thorpe shooting was dear to Lord Arthur, and having been made aware of Lord. Milborough’s wishes, he had impressed them upon his intended bride as requiring her co-operation. She therefore made haste to add—
“But of course you will marry, and quickly, and I have only said this because, if Lord Milborough’s proposal has not come, it is undoubtedly imminent.”
Anne listened, and said no more than—
“Is Lord Milborough the one man then in the world?”
“There are not many like him and available. That, I suspect, is the best answer to your question. Seriously, he is a magnificent match.”
Anne sat mute. Lady Dalrymple glanced at her, and grew impatient.
“You are not in any doubt as to your answer?” she demanded quickly.