"Perhaps you wouldn't mind if he were a little younger yet!" said her mother merrily, "as he is too young to be your grandfather."
"I suppose you had a presentiment I should like him, and left him for me, mamma!" returned Hester in like vein.
"But seriously, Hester, is it not time we knew what lord Gartley means?"
"Oh, mamma! please don't talk like that!"
"It does sound disagreeable—vulgar, if you like, my child; but I cannot help being anxious about you. If he does not love you he has no right to court your company so much."
"I encourage it, mamma. I like him."
"That is what makes me afraid."
"It will be time enough to think about it if he comes again now he has got the earldom."
"Should you like to be a countess, Hester?"
"I would rather not think about it, mother. It may never make any difference whether I should like it or not.