'Now that dear Eveline is off our hands,' said Lady Aberfeldie, 'I cannot help thinking seriously of Allan's affairs and those of Olive, and really some serious advice should be given to the foolish couple. Could not you——'
'No,' interrupted her husband; 'I wash my hands of lovers and their piques and plans. You have managed the matter of Eveline and Sir Paget—try your skill once more.'
'Neither Allan nor Olive is so compliant as poor Eveline.'
'No—poor Eveline indeed!'
'You think of her marriage thus, now?'
'Well, there is no denying it is rather a January-and-May style of thing; but let us not speak of it.'
Considering that her husband had from the first given his full assent to the whole transaction, Lady Aberfeldie could not help glancing at him rather reproachfully, but she only said,
'Olive has, of course, many admirers; but the rumour of her engagement to Allan keeps them all at a distance.'
'Poor Olive! Her fortune is almost a misfortune to her.'
'Why?'