Mrs Maulfrey had forgotten Mr Heron. Her jaw dropped slightly, but she recovered in a moment. “To be sure: Mr Heron,” she said. “It is very afflicting, but—Rule, you know! I don’t say poor Mr Heron is not a very estimable creature, but a mere lieutenant, dearest Lizzie, and I daresay will soon have to go back to that horrid war in America—it’s not to be thought of, my love!”
“No,” said Elizabeth in a suffocated voice. “Not to be thought of.”
Horatia’s dark gaze dwelled bodingly on her second sister. “I think it would be a very good thing if Charlotte were to have R-Rule,” she pronounced.
“Horry!” gasped Charlotte.
“Lord, my dear, what things you say!” remarked Mrs Maulfrey indulgently. “It’s Elizabeth Rule wants.”
Horatia shook her head vehemently. “No. Only a Winwood,” she said in the tense way she had. “All arranged years ago. I d-don’t believe he’s set eyes on L-Lizzie upwards of half a d-dozen times. It can’t signify.”
Miss Charlotte released her sister’s hand, and said palpitatingly: “Nothing— nothing would induce me to marry Lord Rule, even if he had offered for me! The very notion of Matrimony is repugnant to me. I have long made up my mind to be a Prop to Mama.” She drew a breath. “If ever any gentleman could induce me to contemplate the Married State, I assure you, my dear Horry, it would be one far other than Lord Rule.”
Mrs Maulfrey had no difficulty in interpreting this announcement.”For my part, I like a rake,” she observed. “And Rule is so extremely handsome!”
“I think,” said Horatia obstinately, “that M-Mama might have suggested Charlotte.”
Elizabeth turned her head: “You don’t understand, Horry dear. Mama could not do such an odd thing.”