“We shall not marry just yet, don’t you know,” said Miss Perry, with the air of one who imparts valuable information. “But Jim is going to get rich so that he can buy back the Red House at Widdiford, and then we are going to live in it, and it will be too sweet.”
Aunt Caroline having grown incoherent with legitimate anger it devolved upon Cheriton to say something.
“Capital!” said he, in a most benevolent manner.
This expression of opinion helped Caroline Crewkerne through her crisis.
“You inconceivably foolish girl,” said she. “Have you no sense of decency?”
“Muffin has p-r-r-romised to wear her mauve at the wedding,” drawled Miss Perry.
Had not the husband-elect blown his nose very vigorously there is reason to fear that he would again have been guilty of conduct unlike that of a Wargrave.
“Silence, girl!” said Aunt Caroline. “Don’t speak another word until you have permission. This comes of crossing the breed. Now listen to me. The sooner you remove the man Lascelles from that inconceivably foolish and demoralized head of yours the better it will be for you. Where is your self-respect? Where is your sense of decency?”
“Muffin——” said Miss Perry, but she got no farther because an imperious finger stayed her.
“Don’t speak,” said Aunt Caroline. “Simply listen. Dismiss the man Lascelles from your mind, and try to remember who you are, and where you are, and what you are saying. My old friend Lord Cheriton desires to marry you. Understand that clearly. And he has my permission to do so. Understand that clearly also. Now you may say something.”