“No, there was no one got down but myself,” she assured him.
“I suppose her courage deserted her,” he remarked. “It is not surprising.”
“I collect that you too were expecting someone. It is indeed a chapter of accidents. I wish I knew how to contrive to be well out of such a fix!”
He favored her with another of his measuring glances. “Well, we may yet turn it to good account. Before you decide to present yourself at Five Mile Ash you might do worse than consider the post I have to offer.”
“You do not require a governess, sir!”
“No. I require a female—preferably a respectable female—who would be willing, upon terms, to marry a young relative of mine,” he replied.
She was for several moments deprived of all power of speech. Finding her tongue at last, she demanded, “Are you in earnest?”
“Certainly.”
“I think you must indeed be mad!”
“I am not, but I dare say it may appear so.”