"But she might, he-he-he!" he chuckled, but the next moment was again preternaturally grave. "I had no idea. Poor Leo!"
This was better. The old lady sighed sympathetically. "Yes, indeed. Poor Leo! You always liked Leo, Val?"
"Rather. I can't imagine her in a beastly widow's cap, he-he-he! It's a beastly shame, but I can't help laughing."
"It does seem incongruous. I don't wonder that you can hardly picture that bright little sunbeam of a face with those golden curls hanging round it——"
"She's not as good-looking as Maud, you know."
"Indeed I think she is a great deal better looking," said Mrs. Purcell, shortly.
But she knew better than to argue the point, and resorted to one more likely to yield a favourable result.
"You were talking about Leonore's joining the hunt; and I fancy if you are content to wait a little and approach the matter delicately, she is quite likely to be persuaded. Every one knows that it is only stinginess on General Boldero's part which stands in the way of his daughters' hunting. That need not affect Leonore, who will now be quite independent, and can keep as many horses as she chooses."
"You don't say so? Yoicks! I'll be at her like a shot."
"And you can offer to pilot her, you know. She will be nervous at first."