"Miraculously beyond my deserts, ma'am. As you say. But there's the wisdom of twenty years' shabbiness in me. And I wonder if the good Sir John wants to be meddling."
"You need not be shabby now."
"Lord, I bear him no malice. For he can do nought. Only I would not have him plague Alison."
At last Mrs. Weston smiled upon him. "Aye, you are very careful of her."
"I vow I would not so insult her." Harry laughed.
"But you need not be afraid. Susan is here for herself. She is like that. She is the most independent woman ever I knew. She has come because she loves Alison."
"Why, then, I love her. And egad it will be easy. She's a splendid piece."
Mrs. Weston gave him an anxious glance. "She is very loyal," said she, with some emphasis.
"It's a virtue. To be sure it's a virtue of the stupid." Harry cocked a teasing eye at her. "And I—well, ma'am, you wouldn't call me stupid."
"I don't think it clever to jeer at what's good—and true—and noble."