“Even if I could, my lord, do you think I would steal you from my sister? It was not for that I took her place.”
“Steal me be damned!” said his lordship rudely. “I’d never the smallest notion of marrying Sophia.”
“Nevertheless, sir, I could not do it. The very thought of marriage is absurd. You do not care for me nor I for you, and my estate is too far removed from yours.”
“What is your estate?” he asked. “Who was your father?”
“Does it matter?” she said.
“Not a whit, but you puzzle me. You did not get your breeding on the distaff side.”
“I was fortunate enough to be educated at a very select seminary, sir.”
“You were, were you? Who placed you there?”
“My grandfather,” answered Miss Challoner unexpansively.
“Your father’s father? Is he alive? Who is her