"I thought so, my poor girl. And he loves you, does he not?"
"He does, Lady Jane. That is the misery of it."
"You think he is not rich enough? He has his way to make? Or perhaps his friends?"
"You are speaking of——?"
"Mr. Anerley."
"But all your conjectures are wrong, mother—all quite wrong. Indeed, I cannot explain it to you. I only know, mother, that I am very unhappy."
"And you mean to marry Count Schönstein to revenge yourself——?"
"I did not say I would marry Count Schönstein," said the girl, fretfully, "and I have nothing to revenge. I am very sorry, Lady Jane, to think of the sad troubles you have had, and you are very good to warn me; but I have not quarrelled with anybody, and I am not asked to wait in order to marry anybody, and——"
Here she raised herself up, and the old bitter hard look came to the sad and gentle face.
"——And if I should marry Count Schönstein, I shall disappoint no one, and break no promise. Before I marry Count Schönstein, he shall know what he may expect from me. I can give him my esteem, and confidence, and a certain amount of liking; and many people have lived comfortably on less. And you, mother, should be the last to say anything against an arrangement which would give you comfort, and relieve your mind from anxiety——"