“I always doubt until the thing is said, and long afterwards,” said Anne.
“Afterwards as much as you like. You can hardly toss over Lord Milborough as you have less important people.”
“What an argument against accepting him!” There was angry light in her eyes, though she kept her voice cool.
Lady Dalrymple could not resist a taunt.
“It is an amusement, let me add, of which the world wearies in a woman. It forgives once for the sake of having something to talk about, the second time palls, and the third is wearisome and unpardonable. However,” she went on, remembering her instructions, “the point is not whether Lord Milborough shall be thrown over, but whether he will be accepted?”
Anne sat upright.
“I do not know,” she said coldly.
“He will ask to-morrow.”
“He has said so?”
“Pray do not waste your indignation. Would he be likely to say so? But I can see.”