“Now for the girl: who knows about it?”
“So far as I am aware, no one but her grandfather. He had come to the castle to inquire after her, and was with me when we came upon them in the fruit garden.”
“Then let no further notice be taken of it. Tell no one—not even Mrs. Brookes. Let the young fools do as they please.”
“I cannot consent to that, my lord.”
“Why, what the devil have you to do with it?”
“I am the friend of her people.”
“Pooh! pooh! don’t talk rubbish. What is it to them! I’ll see to them. It will all come right. The affair will settle itself. By Jove, I’m sorry you interfered! The thing would have been much better left alone.”
“My lord,” said Donal, “I can listen to nothing in this strain.”
“All I ask is—promise not to interfere.”
“I will not.”