"Perhaps. I don't know, I'm sure."
They were silent for some time after this, and then Lady Violet said suddenly—
"It seems a pity now that I was ever engaged."
"Why?"
"Oh, it's such a nuisance for him, you see."
"Do you mean for the gentleman you are going to marry?"
"Yes. You see, he wanted me to marry him a long time ago, but I refused him; at least, I didn't actually refuse him, but there were reasons why I couldn't marry him then, one reason especially. But all that is over now, and I had just accepted him, and all was nicely settled, when this happened."
"But the doctor hopes you will be all right soon; doesn't he?"
"Oh yes, in time. But it's an awful nuisance for him having to wait; he wants to get settled. You see, he has only just come into his property; it's a nice little place, and he has a fair amount of money. It belonged to his mother's father; but some day he will come into a much grander estate, and be awfully rich. His brother owns it now, but he is getting an old man, and has no children. It's really a very good match for me, but it's a long time to wait, and I think he's getting rather impatient, and I did so want to have next season in town."
"Has he been to see you?"