'Call it "recompense" for the nonce,' said Lady Jocelyn. 'Do you still hold to your original proposition, Tom?'
'Every penny, my lady. I like the young fellow, and she's a jolly little lass—if she means it:—she's a woman.'
'True,' said Lady Jocelyn. 'Considering that fact, you will oblige me by keeping the matter quiet.'
'Does she want to try whether the tailor's a gentleman still, my lady- eh?'
'No. I fancy she will have to see whether a certain nobleman may be one.'
The Countess now joined them. Sir Franks had informed her of her brother's last fine performance. After a short, uneasy pause, she said, glancing at Evan:—
'You know his romantic nature. I can assure you he was sincere; and even if you could not accept, at least—'
'But we have accepted, Countess,' said Rose.
'The estate!'
'The estate, Countess. And what is more, to increase the effect of his generosity, he has consented to take a recompense.'