“I can guess his errand. I am sorry for it.”
“There is no need. He considers that Perry is too young to be thinking of marriage, and in part I agree with him.”
“Perry’s friends must all feel the truth of that. It is a pity. He has seen very little of the world, and at nineteen, you know, one’s taste is not fixed. My father has never been a believer in early marriages. But it may yet come to nothing, I daresay.”
“I do not think it,” Judith said decidedly. “Perry is young, but he knows his own mind, and once that is made up there is generally no changing it. I believe the attachment to be deep; it is certainly mutual. And, you know, however much I may regret an engagement entered into so soon I could not wish to see it broken.”
He assented. “It would be very bad. We can only wish him happy. I am not acquainted with Miss Fairford. You like her?”
“She is a very amiable, good sort of girl,” responded Judith.
“I am glad. The wedding, I conclude, will not be long put off?”
“I am not perfectly sure. Lord Worth spoke of six months, but Perry hopes to be able to induce him to consent to its taking place sooner. I don’t know how he will succeed.”
“I imagine Lord Worth will be more likely to find the means of postponing it.”
She turned an inquiring look upon him. He shook his head. “We shall see, but I own myself a little worried. I don’t understand Worth’s consenting to this marriage. But it is possible that I misjudge him.”