"He has been Francis Netherleigh since Aunt Margery died: the name came to him with the property. He has been Sir Francis since—oh, for about six weeks now. The old Uncle Francis wished the baronetcy to be revived in him, and his wishes have been carried out."
Adela paused, apparently revolving the information. "Then his name is no longer Grubb?"
"In one sense, no. For all social uses that name has passed from him."
"Why did you never tell me this?" repeated Adela.
"From the uncertainty as to whether you would care to hear it, Adela. We decided to say nothing until you were stronger."
A second pause of thought. "If he has succeeded to the name, why, so have I. Have I not? Though he puts me away from himself, Harriet, he cannot take from me his name."
"Of course you have succeeded to it."
Pause the third. "Then I ought to have been announced tonight as Lady Adela Netherleigh!"
"Had you been announced at all. You solved the difficulty, you know, by telling me you would not be announced—you would creep in after me and Sandy."
"What difficulty?"