"Why must we?" she asked. "The county never remembered father till he was dead. If I'm going to be married, it's all the same to me whether it's in three weeks or three months or three years."
Milbanke coloured—not quite sure whether the declaration was propitious or the reverse.
"Certainly!—certainly!" he broke in nervously. "I think your view is a—a very sensible one."
Mrs. Asshlin shook her head in speechless disapproval.
"And what is to become of Nance?" she asked, after a moment's pause.
Again Milbanke glanced uncertainly at Clodagh.
"My idea," he began deprecatingly, "was to place the child at a good English school. But for the first year or two I think that perhaps Clodagh might be allowed to veto any arrangement I may make."
Clodagh stepped forward suddenly and impulsively.
"Do you mean that?" she asked.
He bent his head gravely.