"Then, Val, she must have said it with an object in view. I am sure Maude did love him. I know she did."
He shook his head. "You are wrong, Anne, depend upon it. She did not like him, and she and her mother were at variance upon the point. However, it is of no moment to discuss it now: and it might never have come to an issue had Edward lived, for he did not care for her; and I dare say never would have cared for her."
Anne said no more. It was of no moment as he observed; but she retained her own opinion. They strolled to the end of the short walk in silence, and Anne said she must go in.
"Am I quite forgiven?" whispered Lord Hartledon, bending his head down to her.
"I never thought I had very much to forgive," she rejoined, after a pause.
"My darling! I mean by your father."
"Ah, I don't know. You must talk to him. He knows we have been writing to each other. I think he means to trust you."
"The best plan will be for you to come soon to Hartledon, Anne. I shall never go wrong when once you are my wife."
"Do you go so very wrong now?" she asked.
"On my honour, no! You need not doubt me, Anne; now or ever. I have paid up what I owed, and will take very good care to keep out of trouble for the future. I incurred debts for others, more than for myself, and have bought experience dearly. My darling, surely you can trust me now?"