“My dear Violet, my darling girl, don’t cry,—you quite mistake me. I am surprised,—indeed very much surprised—but I am not displeased. I know very little about Mr. Nugent,—I daresay he is a very good man—your uncle sees more of him than I do,—but—you must remember he is so much older than you are, and so much sought after by the world that it seems difficult to realize that he wants to marry my little girl! There—there! Don’t cry! Does your uncle know?”
“I couldn’t tell him!” sobbed Violet—“I wanted to, but I didn’t dare! And Max said that if I told you, he would tell uncle. Do you see? Then you two would meet and talk it over. There is nothing wrong with Max except his horrid money! Because everybody will say that I am a mean, designing, little wretch—and I really have not been anything of the kind—I never did anything to make him like me—only be just myself——”
Miss Letty kissed her.
“That is the secret of it, little one!” she said—“Being yourself—your dear self—is the only way to win a man’s heart! And do you love him?”
Violet raised her eyes fully this time, and dashed away her tears.
“Yes, I do!” she said earnestly—“I love him dearly!”
Miss Letty stroked her hair thoughtfully.
“It will be a very responsible position for you, dear child, if you marry Mr. Nugent,” she said seriously—“Very brilliant—very difficult—almost dangerous for such a young thing as you are! I think, Violet—that perhaps you would rather not have any advice from me just now?”
“Oh yes—yes! Do advise me! I want advice!” cried the girl enthusiastically. “Max said whatever you told me I was to do—as he honoured you more than any woman in the world—except me!”
Miss Letty laughed.