“But my dear girl, it won’t do! Take it from me, it won’t do! If you don’t know that, I’ll be bound Ricky does. I daresay you don’t fancy the notion, but he’s a devilish fine catch, you know. Blister it, we were looking to him to bring our family fortunes about, so we were!” he added, with an irrepressible chuckle.
“I think you are vulgar and detestable!” said Pen. “I have got a great deal of money of my own; in fact, I’m an heiress, and I have a very good mind not to marry anyone!”
“But only think what a waste!” protested Cedric. “If you are an heiress, and you can’t stomach the notion of marrying Ricky, for which I won’t blame you, for the Lord knows he’s no lady’s man!—a hardened case, m’dear: never looked seriously at a female in his life!—I suppose you wouldn’t make shift with your humble servant?”
“Your conversation, my dear Cedric, is always edifying,” said Sir Richard icily.
But Pen, instead of being offended, giggled. “No, thank you. I shouldn’t like to marry you at all.”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t. You’ll have to take Ricky, then: nothing else for it! But you’re too young for him: no getting away from that! Damme, if I know what maggot got into your heads to set you off on this crazy adventure!”
“You are labouring under a misapprehension, Cedric,” said Sir Richard. “There is nothing I desire more than to marry Pen.”
“Well, of all things!” gasped Cedric. “And here was I thinking you a hopeless case!”
“I am going to bed,” stated Pen.
Sir Richard moved across the door to open it for her. “Yes my child: go to bed. But pray do not let Cedric’s artless chatter prejudice you! For addle-pated folly I have never met his equal.” He possessed himself of her hand, as he spoke, and lifted it to his lips. “Pleasant dreams, brat,” he said softly.