“I am to understand that Mr Heron is in the Army?” inquired the Earl.
“Oh, yes, the T-tenth Foot. And if you had not offered for L-Lizzie I feel sure M-mama would have consented to him being contracted to her.”
“It was most lamentable of me,” said Rule gravely. “But at least I can remedy the error.”
Horatia said eagerly: “Oh, you will take m-me instead?”
“No,” said Rule, with a faint smile. “I won’t do that. But I will engage not to marry your sister. It’s not necessary to offer me an exchange, my poor child.”
“B-but it is!” said Horatia vigorously. “One of us m-must marry you!”
The Earl looked at her for a moment. Then he got up in his leisurely way, and stood leaning on the back of a chair.
“I think you must explain it all to me,” he said. “I seem to be more than ordinarily dull this morning.”
Horatia knit her brows. “Well, I’ll t-try,” she said. “You see, we’re so shockingly poor. Charlotte says it is all P-Pelham’s fault, and I dare say it may be, but it is no use blaming him, b-because he cannot help it. G-gambling, you know. Do you gamble?”
“Sometimes,” answered his lordship.