‘What if it is?’ he asked.
‘Well, it makes things more different even than I thought, that’s all.’
She sprang to her feet and danced across the room, one hand bent over her head. It was not an ungraceful picture. Her brother smiled.
‘Alice, you’d better be guided by me. I know a little of the world, and I can help you where you’d make mistakes. Just keep to yourself for a little, my girl, and get on with your piano and your books. You can’t do better, believe me. Never mind whether you’ve any one to see you or not; there’s time enough. And I’ll tell you another secret. Before you can tell a gentleman when you see him, you’ll have to teach yourself to be a lady. Perhaps that isn’t quite so easy as you think.’
‘How am I to learn then?’
‘We’ll find a way before long. Get on with your playing and reading.’
Presently, as they were about to leave the room, the Princess inquired:
‘Dick, how soon are you going to be married?’
‘I can’t tell you,’ was the answer. ‘Emma wants to put it off.’