Lady Saltash left it at that.
Shortly after noon, Mr Tarleton came to Camden Place by appointment, in his curricle, and took Hero up for a drive to Kelston. It struck him that she wore rather a sober face, and he rallied her on it. accusing her of finding Bath a tedious place and himself a great bore.
“Oh, no, that I certainly do not!” she said quickly.
“I am persuaded you think me a dull dog, with one foot in the grave, and not a spark of romantic fervour in my whole composition!”
She laughed. “No, how should I be so foolish? I dare say you could be excessively romantic, if you wished to be, and as for having one foot in the grave, pooh!”
“But I fancy you did think so, when first we met?” he said quizzically.
She coloured. “Yes, it is true, but that was before I became properly acquainted with you.”
“Tell me, Miss Wantage, do you consider me past the age of thinking of marriage?”
She looked up. “No, indeed! Why, have you some such notion?”
“Yes,” he replied.