That inscrutable smile proved a match for Sir Charles, and he gave up his attack, but I think he was convinced that the delay was only for the moment, and that Monday would witness the ratification of his plans. So for two days he was gloriously good-natured and overbearing, and by Monday none of us dared to raise a voice in his presence. Even Marian Speechless became as silent as the tomb. Mrs. Radigan was depressed. I have never seen her so utterly dispirited. "Oh, if we could only blow him up or something," she whispered to me after dinner on Sunday evening, when we had had an hour's discourse by Sir Charles on the unhealthy American climate and the advantages of constant drizzles.
"To-morrow," said I, "it will be over."
"Yes," said she, "thank Heaven, to-morrow it will be over, and we shall have the dear Duke to ourselves."
And on the morrow it was over. All Mrs. Radigan's dreams were shattered. All my own fears were swept away. True to her promise, Pearl Veal gave Sir Charles her answer.
"Of course," said the great English solicitor, "I shall tell his Grace that Miss Vial loves him and accepts his generous offer."
"No," said Pearl, closing one eye and scrutinizing the figures on the paper in her hand. "Tell him that I like him, Sir Charles; tell him I am deeply grateful, but I cannot afford him."
Sir Charles took down his monocle and polished it. Then he eyed her through it very hard.
"Do you realize, Miss Weal, that you are refusing a peer of England?" he said sternly.
"But I want to get a new automobile," Pearl answered quietly.
The monocle flew fiercely to the very end of its guard-string. It was a minute before the astonished Englishman found it again, for his hands were trembling violently as they beat the air in search of it. Finding the glass, he sat down and polished it very hard. Then, returning it to his eye, he inspected Pearl Veal from head to foot, being evidently convinced that he had to do with an insane person.