"Is it so difficult to get along with her?" enquired Lord Canning.
"Oh, I didn't mean that," replied Mrs. Stillwater, quickly. "There's no one more lovable and easy, if she's studied."
"What do you think of me as a husband for your daughter?" said Lord Canning, quietly.
"Lord Canning, you're not in earnest?"
"Why not? I should like to take my place in the matrimonial competition, if you have no objection."
She looked at him, standing there with such apparent composure. "What objection could I have to a man like you? But, I'm not the one to be consulted. Whatever Indy decides, I must be satisfied with. Oh, dear! Oh, dear!"
"Mrs. Stillwater, the idea is evidently disagreeable to you?"
"Oh no, not at all. But Indiana's so young, and you live so far away—and she is so unfit to be alone—without us. But don't consider me—I have nothing whatever to say."
"I had a pressing correspondence to-day, Lord Canning," said Stillwater, emerging upon the balcony. His wife put her hand on his shoulder.
"Father! Father!"