“I am so glad!” said Miss Grayson, with a relieved sigh. “If you don’t want to marry me, Tony, I can go home with a quiet mind. And I can even forgive you for being so disagreeable.”
“And I,” said Sir Anthony, “can finish my dinner.”
Chapter 3
My Lady Lowestoft
Miss Merriot called “Come in!” to a scratching on the door. Came Mr Merriot into the big bedroom, and walked across to the fireplace where Kate stood. Mr Merriot cocked an eyebrow at Kate, and said — “Well, my dear, and did you kiss her good-night?”
Miss Merriot kicked off her shoes, and replied in kind. “What, are you parted from the large gentleman already?”
Mr Merriot looked into the fire, and a slow smile came, and the suspicion of a blush.
“Lord, child!” said Miss Merriot. “Are you for the mammoth? It’s a most respectable gentleman, my dear.”
Mr Merriot raised his eyes. “I believe I would not choose to cross him,” he remarked inconsequently. “But I would trust him.”
Miss Merriot began to laugh. “Be a man, my Peter, I implore you.”