“I have one more.”
“Yes?”
“I wish to ask your ladyship whether you propose to recognize me in the presence of your household as the late Colonel Roseberry’s daughter?”
“I have already recognized you as a lady in embarrassed circumstances, who has peculiar claims on my consideration and forbearance. If you wish me to repeat those words in the presence of the servants (absurd as it is), I am ready to comply with your request.”
Grace’s temper began to get the better of her prudent resolutions.
“Lady Janet!” she said; “this won’t do. I must request you to express yourself plainly. You talk of my peculiar claims on your forbearance. What claims do you mean?”
“It will be painful to both of us if we enter into details,” replied Lady Janet. “Pray don’t let us enter into details.”
“I insist on it, madam.”
“Pray don’t insist on it.”
Grace was deaf to remonstrance.