“Possibly,” said her ladyship. “Shall we write and ask him to come to us?”
“No, Mama. Could we ask him to make a journey to receive our thanks?”
“Not till we have solid ones to offer, perhaps.”
“He will not let us help him, Mama, unless we have all given him our hands.”
“Probably not. There’s always a fund of nonsense in those who are capable of great things, I observe. It shall be a family expedition, if you like.”
“What!” exclaimed Mrs. Shorne. “Do you mean that you intend to allow Rose to make one of the party? Franks! is that your idea?”
Sir Franks looked at his wife.
“What harm?” Lady Jocelyn asked; for Rose’s absence of conscious guile in appealing to her reason had subjugated that great faculty.
“Simply a sense of propriety, Emily,” said Mrs. Shorne, with a glance at Ferdinand.
“You have no objection, I suppose!” Lady Jocelyn addressed him.