“Well, I expect I shall do as I choose!”
The Baroness leaned her head upon the back of her chair and closed her eyes, as if she were tired. Then opening them again, “Your cousin is very charming!” she said.
“She is the prettiest girl in this place,” Clifford rejoined.
“‘In this place’ is saying little; she would be charming anywhere. I am afraid you are entangled.”
“Oh, no, I’m not entangled.”
“Are you engaged? At your age that is the same thing.”
Clifford looked at the Baroness with some audacity. “Will you tell no one?”
“If it’s as sacred as that—no.”
“Well, then—we are not!” said Clifford.
“That’s the great secret—that you are not, eh?” asked the Baroness, with a quick laugh. “I am very glad to hear it. You are altogether too young. A young man in your position must choose and compare; he must see the world first. Depend upon it,” she added, “you should not settle that matter before you have come abroad and paid me that visit. There are several things I should like to call your attention to first.”