"Which are you going to smile upon? You have given both a deal of encouragement. I don't count young James, of course. He's a babe."
"Please, please—"
"I don't like Sir Deryk. No, I don't like him at all. He has no true politeness, or he would have talked a little more to me, or to Jenny. Which do you intend to wed, my dear?"
"Neither?"
"My dear Cleone!" Her ladyship was shocked. "Then why do you encourage them to make love to you? Now be advised by me! Have Sir Deryk!"
Cleone gave a trembling laugh.
"I thought you did not like him?"
"No more I do. But that's not to say he'd make a bad husband. On the contrary. He'd let you do as you please, and he'd not be for ever pestering you with his presence."
"For these very reasons I'll none of him!"
"Then that leaves Philip?"