"That settles it," said Dick; "I'll go at once. I've got to call on Lady Susan Gresley, and I'll take Miss—"
"West. West. West."
"Miss West on the way."
"My dear fellow, Miss West does not live on the way to Woking. Lady Susan Gresley died six months ago."
"Great Scot! I never heard of it. And what has become of Hester? She is a kind of cousin of mine."
"Miss Gresley has gone to live in the country a few miles from us, with her clergyman brother."
"James Gresley. I remember him. He's a bad egg."
"Now, Dick, are you in earnest, or are you talking nonsense about Miss West?"
"I'm in earnest." He looked it.
"Then, for heaven's sake, don't put your foot in it by calling. My wife has taken a violent fancy to Miss West. I don't think it is returned, but that is a detail. If you want to give her a chance, leave it to me."