She gave a little laugh. "This is certainly intriguing. I am rejected, then?"
He looked up. "Do you think you don't tempt me? To marry you out of hand - to possess you before you had had time to regret! Oh, my love, don't speak of this again! You spoke of changing your mind. If that is to come, you shall not be tied to me."
"You give me time to consider? Strange! I had never a suitor like you, Charles!"
"I love you too much to snatch you before you know me, before you know your own heart!"
"Ah! You are wiser than I am," she said, with a faint smile.
They were interrupted by Lady Vidal, who came into the room, followed by her husband. She greeted Colonel Audley with cold civility, but her lack of warmth was atoned for by Vidal's marked display of friendliness. He was able to wish the Colonel joy with blunt cordiality, and even to crack a jest at his sister's expense.
They were soon joined by Lord Harry, who had ridden in from Enghien to attend the evening's party. He seemed to be delighted by the news of the betrothal. He wrung the Colonel's hand with great fervour, prophesied a devilish future for him at Bab's hands, and expressed a strong wish to see how Lavisse would receive the tidings.
"M. de Lavisse, my dear Harry, is quite a matrimonial prize," said Augusta. "I fancy your sister cannot boast of an offer from him. He is adroit in flirtation, but it will be a clever woman who persuades him to propose marriage."
"Dear Gussie! How vulgar!" said Barbara.
"Possibly, but I believe it to be true."