"But, my dear, surely that ought to have warned you that your tastes were not congenial. What can have made you think your feelings had changed?"
"Oh, mamma, I don't know." Honour paused for a moment, then hurried on. "One doesn't remember that kind of thing when a person is dead, you know. And there seemed to be so many nice points about him that I had never guessed——"
"But which Mr Gerrard brought out? Well, your objection can't apply——" Lady Cinnamond broke off hastily. "I won't worry you any more to-night, dear."
"Good-night, mamma. I am sorry I was cross."
Lady Cinnamond left her reluctantly, for the rest of the family were on the tiptoe of expectation to hear what had happened, and she had earnestly hoped to be able to silence their jeers with the announcement that Honour was engaged like other people.
"Well, mamma, is he coming to see papa in the morning?" demanded Mrs
Cowper eagerly, as soon as her mother appeared.
"No, dear; I am sorry to say she has refused him again."
"Fastidious little puss!" chuckled Sir Arthur. "Faith! it'll be the other that will come to-morrow."
"Isn't Honour a queer quizzical sort of girl?" inquired Mrs Cowper earnestly of her parents. "Do you think she will accept Mr Gerrard, mamma?"
"My dear, I am afraid to say, but I should fear not."