“Yes,” said the young man sadly.
“She is very beautiful, but see how she has been brought up. Look at her sister—a weak, vain, foolish child more than a married woman, about whom there is bound to be some scandal soon.”
“Can the sister help that?”
“Look at the brother; that careless young ne’er-do-weel, who is to be trained up in his father’s steps.”
“Poverty seems to be their greatest sin,” replied Richard quietly.
“Then, there is another son, who quarrelled with the father and went off and enlisted. My dear Dick, is such a family one that you ought to enter?”
“My dear Colonel,” said Richard with a sad smile, “I do not seem likely to enter it. You saw the look old Denville gave me. But, for heaven’s sake, don’t throw out hints again about that murder.”
“Very well, but you must promise me that there shall be an end to all this infatuation. I speak as your father’s oldest and dearest friend, and as one who feels as if he had a share in you—you reckless wild young scapegrace.”
“I can promise nothing,” said Richard coldly.
“Not now that you have been dragged into this serious affair?”