''Twas very noble of Tom to take on such a guardianship,' mused Lady Fairfax. 'But it was also very foolish. Only my brother would have been so blind.'
'How so, Aunt Constance?'
'Because, my dear, from what you say Elise is something of an heiress on her mother's side. Is not that so, Colonel?'
The gentleman assented. 'Madame de Delauret was the daughter of the Sieur d'Artois. Her father, it is true, gave his consent to her marriage with the "penniless Breton cadet," as they were pleased to describe de Delauret, but her family more or less discarded her. Now, however, through the demise of various other members of the family, Madame de Delauret's child must inherit the Artois estates.'
'I still don't see how Father was blind,' persisted Marion.
'Don't you, my dear child? It is this way. If Elise is her mother's heiress to that extent, she is a person of note, in a small way. She should be with the ladies of the d'Artois family. It is to be presumed their antagonism is now dead. D'ailleurs,' added the lady drily, 'if Elise is heiress 'twill be for her to pick and choose.'
'M. de Delauret's particular wish was to keep Elise away from French society,' replied Marion.
'But Elise cannot be hid all her life under my brother's greatcoats! She has, I am sure, had a right simple, honest, healthy upbringing. Now she should be brought out to take her place.'
'She ought to be a very charming young lady,' mused the Colonel. 'Of such a mother and such a father. I have ever heard the most noble stories of de Delauret.'
'Who is managing Elise's estates?' asked Sir John, looking up from his walnuts.