“This is a pleasure, my lord.”
He flushed at the title.
“You mistake, Miss Coolidge,” he said, smiling, as he shook hands with her, “I am not lord, or, at least, I should say, that I prefer not to answer to that title at present. While my grandfather lives I prefer to be only plain Mr. Dredmond.”
“The title suits you, nevertheless,” she answered, sweeping him an admiring glance, and then drooping her lashes shyly.
“I hope to be worthy of it when it becomes mine,” he replied, gravely, and wondering why she did not explain Miss Douglas’ absence.
But it was no part of her plan to do so.
She intended to appropriate the call to herself, and make the most of her opportunity.
Ever since she had learned that he was heir to an earldom she had resolved to exert all her powers to win him, and become “my lady,” and now she set herself to work to charm him.
She began chatting in a lively manner, and possessing much native tact, and a very; pleasing address, she beguiled him out of half an hour before he was aware of it.
“I beg your pardon,” he said, starting, when he heard the hall clock strike, “but I wished to see Miss Douglas. I have a little piece of property belonging to her, which I desire to return.”