“You may rest perfectly at ease on that score, ma’am,” he said harshly. “I do not recall when I have met any woman who I disliked more!”
She was relieved in a slight measure, but said: “Do you think her determined to marry my unfortunate boy?”
“I am not sure. It may well be that she is trying to frighten us into offering her more money. Adrian’s birthday is all too close at hand, and she knows it. Her behaviour in coming into the open points that way.”
“We shall have to give her whatever she asks,” said Lady Mablethorpe gloomily.
“I have already offered her twenty thousand,” he said, in a curt tone.
Her ladyship changed colour. “Twenty thousand! Are you mad? The estate can never stand it!”
“Don’t alarm yourself!” he said ironically. “I was not proposing to pledge Adrian’s fortune.”
She stared at him, quite astonished. “Well, I must say, Max, I never looked for such generosity from you! I am very grateful, I assure you, but—”
“You have nothing to thank me for,” he interrupted. “She refused.”
“She must be out of her senses!”