“I see you don’t like the idea——”
“You are quite mistaken. I have had no time to think it over. Of course if I thought you would be happy together——”
“Oh, I’m sure we’d arrange everything quite amicably. I have immense tact, you know, and American men are said to make such indulgent husbands; and he’s really distinguished-looking. And of course he’d be quite sure of me. I’d scorn to do the things most women do. That’s one reason why I like you so much—you haven’t a lover.”
Lee laughed. “I can’t see the superior virtue of selling oneself.”
“My dear, we must each do what is best for ourselves, whether it is money we want or love. Standards have never insured happiness yet. We must do our own thinking and try for what we most want. Here is a secret for you to keep—until a year ago I expected my godmother’s fortune. She had all but promised it to me and that is the real reason I never married. She died without a will. I can’t be a stranded old maid living off my alternate relations. And perhaps you can imagine what it would mean to me to marry a man like Mr. Pix.”
Lady Mary had drawn in her wide voice, and it vibrated slightly. It was the first time Lee had known her to display anything like feeling, and she softened at once.
“I’ll do what I can,” she said. “Randolph is a gentleman, and very clever. Try to fall in love with him, and make him fall in love with you.”
“You are good. And Emmy can keep her Pix and welcome; by the way, I suppose you have noticed, there’s not so smart a crowd here this year as usual—except the Beaumanoirs, and Larry Monmouth and the other single men.”
“I had not—there is not, come to think of it.”
“The Launcesters and Regents can be got by anybody that will feed them——”