“All of you?”
“Great-nephews. At least, Dolph would have it he didn’t send for George, and I daresay he was right. No reason why he should have. Claud couldn’t go, of course, and Jack didn’t choose to.”
“Freddy, is my uncle making his Will at last?” asked her ladyship eagerly.
“That’s it. Ramshackle sort of a business. Leaving his fortune to Kitty, provided she marries one of us.”
“What?”
“Thought you’d be surprised,” nodded Freddy. “Poor girl didn’t want to marry Dolph—stands to reason she wouldn’t! Didn’t fancy Hugh either. I wouldn’t, myself. Prosy sort of a fellow! Long and the short of it is, ma’am, she accepted me!”
His mother’s eyes started at him. “Freddy!” she said faintly. “You offered for Kitty Charing?”
Mr. Standen perceived that his announcement was productive of more astonishment than delight, and blushed. “Thought you’d be pleased,” he said. “Time I was getting married. Dash it, ma’am, told me so not a month ago!”
“Yes, but—Oh, Freddy, I believe it is a take-in! How can you be so—? Now, tell me it is untrue!” He shook his head, resolutely, adhering to his promise, made to Miss Charing, not to tell his parents any such thing. Lady Legerwood sank back against the sofa-pillows, and pressed the vinegar-soaked handkerchief to her brow. “Oh, good heavens! What can have possessed you? Surely you have never—Freddy, do not tell me you have offered for Kitty for the sake of Uncle Matthew’s fortune!”
“No, I haven’t,” replied Freddy. “It’s what everyone else will tell you, though. Bound to!”