“In a sense, Lady Crewkerne, that is correct,” said Jim.
The old woman nodded, not unamiably, however.
“It is a matter of regret to me that you should have done so,” said she. “It is likely to be of grave prejudice to my niece.”
“I am indeed sorry to learn that,” said Jim, with excellent gravity.
“I will explain. My niece is a penniless girl, and I am given to understand, Mr. Lascelles, that you are yourself a young professional man with your way to make in the world.”
“Your information is correct, Lady Crewkerne,” said Jim, who was sufficiently impartial to admire the old woman’s statesmanlike plainness.
“That being the case,” she proceeded, “a union between you is undesirable from my niece’s point of view, and also from your own.”
“I hope I am not entirely without prospects, Lady Crewkerne,” said Jim, who, however, did not mention his prospects with any great depth of conviction.
“They belong to the future,” said the old woman. “They will take time to materialize. I prefer to deal with the present.”
“Miss Perry and I had not contemplated marriage just at present,” said Jim.