“And Colonel Maubray, is he still living?” asked Alice.
“Oh, no, dear; he died ten or eleven months ago. A very foolish man, you know; he wasted a very good property. He was some distant relation, also; Mr. Brounker said your uncle, Mr. David Arden, was very much attached to him—they were schoolfellows, and great friends all their lives.”
“I should not wonder,” said Alice smiling—and then became silent.
“Do you know the young lady, this fortunate Miss Maubray?” said Lady May, turning to Vivian Darnley again.
“I? Yes—that is, I can't say more than a mere acquaintance—and not an old one. I made her acquaintance at Mr. Arden's house. He is her guardian. I don't know about any other arrangements. I daresay there may be.”
“Well, I know her a little, also,” said Lady May. “I thought her pretty—and she sings a little, and she's clever.”
“She's all that,” said Alice. “Oh, here comes Dick! What do you say, Richard—is not Miss Maubray very pretty? We are making a plot to marry her to Vivian Darnley, and get Uncle David to contribute her dot.”
“What benevolent people! You don't object, I dare say, Vivian.”
“I have not been consulted,” said he; “and, of course, Uncle David need not be consulted, as he has simply to transfer the proper quantity of stock.”
Richard Arden had drawn near Lady May, and said a few words in a low tone, which seemed not unwelcome to her.