Mrs. Marple and her ladyship’s maid, over-awed by his imperative manner, both dropped curtsies, and withdrew. Turvey, rigid with indignation, ignored him, and asked his master if there were any further service he could perform.
“None, I thank you. Go away!” said Gervase. Turvey bowed, and walked with great stateliness out of the Hall; and Mr. Morville, who had been controlling his feelings with a strong effort, said: “No doubt I am sadly behind the times, but it may be of interest to you to know, St. Erth, that in my day, it was customary, before making an offer to a young woman, to obtain the consent of her father!”
“Yes, sir, I shall endeavour to do so,” said the Earl, carefully disposing Miss Morville against the cushions. “Shall I find you at Gilbourne House, if I ride over to call upon you tomorrow?”
“Good gracious!” exclaimed Mrs. Morville, much amused. “Are we to conclude that you have not made Drusilla an offer, St. Erth?”
“Not yet, ma’am,” he replied, smiling at her. “But I assure you I mean to do so at the earliest opportunity!”
“Well, by the Lord Harry — !” said Martin, who had walked into the Hall in time to hear this interchange. “Do you mean St. Erth is to marry Drusilla? I must say, I think that’s a devilish good notion! And the best of it is it will be a famous set-down for Louisa! She told me she had quite made up her mind to it that you and her particular friend, Miss Capel, would make a match of it, Gervase! I’m dashed if I won’t write to Louisa this very evening!”
“Silence, Martin!” commanded the Dowager regally. “This must not be! I have a great regard for Drusilla: indeed, I should be glad to have her to live with me, for she is a very obliging girl, and I shall miss her sadly when she leaves me, but I do not consent to her alliance with my stepson!”
“And nor do I consent to it!” said Mr. Morville unexpectedly. “In fact, I forbid it!”
“I have other plans for my stepson!” said the Dowager, glaring at him.
“I have other plans for my daughter, ma’am!”