The carriage began to move forward. Judith said: “Now that it has been so publicly announced it must be a settled thing.”
“Oh, by no means,” said Worth. “A dozen things might happen to prevent it.”
“He cannot in honour turn back from an engagement.”
“True, but I might turn him back from it if I thought it proper to do so,” said the Earl.
“If you do not like the engagement why did you permit him to enter into it?” asked Miss Taverner rather sternly.
“Because I had not the smallest desire to see him persuade Miss Fairford into a runaway match,” replied Worth.
She frowned. “I am to understand that you don’t wish to see him married?”
“Not at all. Why should I?” He turned to address the coachman, desiring to be set down at the corner. The carriage turned into Piccadilly, and stopped. He got out, and stood for a moment with his hand on the door. His face softened as he looked at Miss Taverner, but he only said: “Believe me, I have your affairs well in hand. Where do you go from here? Shall I direct your coachman?”
“Oh, we are going to look at the new bridge across the river,” said Mrs. Scattergood. “But he knows. Well, I am glad we met you, and I have no doubt there is a great deal in what you say. You are off to White’s, I suppose? I am sure I do not know what you gentlemen would do if there were no clubs to spend the day in!”
He returned no answer to this observation, but merely bowed and stepped back.