“Well, I’m not. Where did you get this notion I was romantic?”
“But you have had a very romantic life; of course, I knew you were romantic!”
“I’ve had a damned uncomfortable life. Tell me more about this marriage of yours. Why must you marry Tristram if you don’t want to? Is it Sylvester’s doing?”
“Yes, he made for me a mariage de convenance, but he is dead now, and I am going to arrange my own affairs.”
“What! is Sylvester dead?” exclaimed Ludovic.
“Yes, since three days. So now it is you who are Lord Lavenham.”
“Much good will that do me!” said Ludovic. “Where’s Basil?”
“He is at the Dower House, of course, and Tristram is at the Court.”
“I must try to see Basil. Something will have to be done about the succession. I can’t wear Sylvester’s shoes.”
“Well, I do not want him to wear them, and I think it would be better if you did not see him,” said Eustacie.