As a preliminary it was necessary to glance at Muriel and her vagaries, before coming to grips with the even more momentous affair which had just been brought to Lady Wargrave’s notice. In answer to his sister’s, “What have you said to Maclean?” the Duke, who had swallowed most of the formulas and had digested them pretty thoroughly, expressed himself characteristically.
“I told him that before I could even begin to consider the question he would have to rat.”
“Was that wise?” said Charlotte, frowning. “Why commit oneself to the possibility of having to take the man seriously?”
Her brother laughed. “He’s a very sharp fellow. A long Scotch head, abominably full of brains. If we could get him on our side perhaps he might pull us together.”
“You know, of course, that his mother kept the village shop at Ardnaleuchan?”
“So he tells me.”
“Do you like the prospect of such a son-in-law?”
“Frankly, Charlotte, I don’t. A tiresome business at the best of it. But there it is.”
“Ought one to treat it so coolly?”
His Grace laid the Quarterly Review on the book-rest and plucked a little peevishly at the tuft of hair on his chin.