“She’ll try to get ‘at’ her—to square her. She won’t care what she does.”
Lord Lambeth turned away in silence; he took twenty steps and slowly returned. “She had better take care what she does. I’ve invited Mrs. Westgate and Miss Alden to Branches, and this evening I shall name a day.”
“And shall you invite your mother and your sisters to meet them?”
Lord Lambeth indulged in one of his rare discriminations. “I shall give them the opportunity.”
“That will touch the Duchess up,” said Percy Beaumont. “I ‘guess’ she’ll come.”
“She may do as she pleases.”
“Then do you really propose to marry the little sister?”
“I like the way you talk about it!” the young man cried. “She won’t gobble me down. Don’t be afraid.”
“She won’t leave you on your knees,” Percy declared. “What the devil’s the inducement?”
“You talk about proposing—wait till I have proposed,” Lord Lambeth went on.