The old lady gave her a fixed stare.
"The girl I am fondest of in all the world," she said, "is my granddaughter, Molly. Molly is very fond of you."
"She is my dearest friend," interrupted Cecil.
"I beg of you, Cecil, to hear me out without remark."
"Yes," answered Cecil.
"I had a letter from Molly, in which she entreats me to write to my son, who is, as you know, a judge in the Rampoor Settlement. She entreats me to write to him describing you as a sensible, respectable, well-brought-up girl—a girl who does not in any sense of the word belong to those odious creatures who call themselves 'new women'; in short, a girl who would put no silly thoughts into his daughter's head. You are doubtless aware, Cecil, of the reason why Molly wants me to write this letter?"
"Yes; I know all about it," replied Cecil. Her face was crimson. "Molly wants her father to lend me money to enable me to join her at Redgarth. Her father fears I am not womanly enough. Perhaps you don't think I am womanly enough, Mrs. Lavender. Oh, if that is so, I beg of you——"
"Hush, my dear, hush! Exclaim presently in the drawing room, but do keep down your emotion while you are with me. I shall have a spasm if you don't; I really shall."
"I will try hard to be quiet," answered Cecil.
A great sigh rose to her lips, but she managed to suppress it.