Lady Lucy's face quivered a little. She decidedly withdrew her hand.
"I am sorry you are both against me," she said, looking from one to the other. "I am sorry you help Oliver to think unkindly of me. But if I must stand alone, I must. I cannot give way."
Ferrier raised his eyebrows with a little perplexed look. Thrusting his hands into his pockets, he went to stand by the fire, staring down into it a minute or two, as though the flames might bring counsel.
"Miss Mallory is still ignorant, Oliver--is that so?" he said, at last.
"Entirely. But it is not possible she should continue to be so. She has begun to make inquiries, and I agree with Sir James it is right she should be told--"
"I propose to go down to Beechcote to-morrow," put in Sir James.
"Have you any idea what view Miss Mallory would be likely to take of the matter--as affecting her engagement?"
"She could have no view that was not unselfish and noble--like herself," said Marsham, hotly. "What has that to do with it?"
