'Moreover, if she marries without her guardian's consent, "then in that case," as the will has it, her money passes from her.'
'You seem to have had all the details through hand,' said Fotheringhame, drily.
'Not with her, at all events.'
'And she is attractive?'
'Attractive is not the word—she is downright lovely, and good as she is lovely! But her guardian, the general, has decided on plans for her future.'
'A peerage.'
'Not at all. He resolves that she shall marry the cub called Hew Montgomerie, who is the heir of entail—a kind of distant cousin.'
'Does—Mary affect him?' asked Fotheringhame, with a quizzical smile.
'Not at all! But I cannot tell you how much she has bewitched me.'
'Aware all the while of the plan in store for her.'