The Major's eyes, that could look pleasant on occasion, glinted at his astonishment. "Those settlements are being replaced by heavier ones," he said. "Blanche does not marry Captain Cross. It's off. A more eligible offer has been made her, and Cross is dismissed."
Mr. Ravensworth doubted whether he heard aright. Major Carlen resumed. "And she was making herself miserable over it. She cannot endure Cross."
"What a disappointment for Cross! What a mortification! Will he accept his dismissal?"
"He will be obliged to accept it," returned the Major, pulling up his shirt-collar, which was always high enough for two. "He has no other choice left to him. A man does not die of love nowadays; or rush into an action for breach of promise, and become a laughing-stock at his club. Blanche marries Lord Level."
"Lord Level!" Mr. Ravensworth repeated in a curious accent.
"You look as though you doubted the information."
"I do not relish it, for your daughter's sake," replied Mr. Ravensworth. "She never can—can—like Lord Level."
"What's the matter with Lord Level? He may be approaching forty, but——"
Mr. Ravensworth laughed. "Not just yet, Major Carlen."
"Well, say he's thirty-four; thirty-three, if you like. Blanche, at twenty, needs guiding. And if he is not as rich as some peers, he is ten times richer than Cross. He met Blanche out, and came dangling here after her. I did not give a thought to it, for I did not look upon Level as a marrying man: he has been somewhat talked of in another line——"