“Told you so!” said Sir Peter. “He don’t suffer from distempered freaks!”
“If we are to talk of distempered freaks——!” she exclaimed hotly.
“Yes, but we are not going to talk of any such thing,” John interposed.
“That’s the way!” approved Sir Peter. “Stand no nonsense! You’ll do as you’re bid, miss!”
“No, certainly not!” said John. “She will do as she wishes, now and always!” He walked round the end of the bed, and took Nell’s tense hand, smiling very kindly at her. “You shall tell me just what you wish, dearest. I ask nothing better than to be allowed to marry you here and now. Indeed, it seems to me an admirable scheme! To receive you from the hands of your grandfather is just what I would myself have chosen. But I’ll drag no unwilling bride to the altar, so if your heart misgives you, my love, tell me so!”
“John, John, not my heart!” she whispered chokingly, her fingers clutching his hand.
“No? Some other consideration, then, which naturally you must explain to me. But we really cannot discuss the matter in public! Let us go into the dressing-room, shall we? We must beg you, Sir Peter, to hold us excused for a short space.”
He drew Nell’s hand through his arm, as he spoke, and led her to the door, which Winkfield opened, and held. As he shut it again behind them, the Squire said, on a note of satisfaction: “Clever in the saddle: he’ll handle her!”
“Sir Peter, loth though I must be to disoblige you, I cannot perform this ceremony unless I am fully persuaded that both parties to it are willing!” declared the Vicar, looking more harassed than ever.
“Oh, sir, never say so!” Rose begged involuntarily. She whisked out her handkerchief, and rather defiantly blew her nose. “He is so truly the gentleman, and so kind!” she sobbed.