“I wouldn’t if I were you,” said Fred. “He is in no sense of the word a gentleman. Well, I must be off. Penelope, I know the carriage is coming for you at seven o’clock. Will you be ready?”
“Yes, quite,” answered Penelope.
The two Hungerford boys disappeared, and the two Carlton girls sat side by side on the quay. People passed and repassed. Penelope was lost in thought. She was anxious about Brenda, and yet she did not know what to do for her sister. Brenda’s thoughts were so fast and furious that they need scarcely be described. After a minute, she said:
“On the whole, you are doing right to go back to your Castle and your grand friends this evening.”
“Of course I am doing right,” said Penelope.
“And,” continued Brenda, “I shan’t be married just at present. Perhaps I may some day, for I suppose I am pretty.”
“You are very, very pretty, Brenda.”
“Yes, but not with your style, and not like the sort of folks you know.”
“I only know them for a short time, Brenda. But I do hope that the time spent at Hazlitt Chase will enable me always to act as a lady; for we were born ladies, dear,” she added; and she touched Brenda on her arm.
Brenda clutched Penelope’s arm in response to this greeting with a feverish grip.