"Eh?"
"Would you mind if I married a man older than myself—I mean a good deal older?"
He looked at her in silence. Two or three names passed before his mind, but he couldn't remember—
"Father, I'm in trouble. I really am. I didn't expect—"
Her voice faltered. He saw that she really found it difficult to speak. A little wave of tenderness rolled over his heart. It was unlike her to be so much moved. He got up and came round to her.
"What is it, dear? Tell me."
She remained perfectly motionless for an instant. Then she held out the note to him, and simultaneously stood up. As he took it, she went swiftly past him and out of the door. He heard the swish of her dress pass up the stairs, and then the closing of a door. But he hardly heeded it. He was reading the note she had given him. It was a short, perfectly formal offer of marriage to her from Lord Talgarth.
(II)
"Father, dear," said Jenny, "I want you to let me have my say straight out, will you?"
He bowed his head.