'Oh, that? I really don't know. What about it?—it is of no consequence.'
'But it interests people.'
'It ought not to interest you, or Captain King either. You will have to think of very different things at Kingscourt.'
'When you and Mr. Jacomb come to Kings——'
'Madge,' said Nan, quickly, 'you must not say anything like that. I do not mean to marry Mr. Jacomb, if that is what you mean.'
'No? Honour bright?'
'I shall not marry Mr. Jacomb; and I am not likely to marry any one,' she said, calmly. 'There are other things one can give one's life to, I suppose. It would be strange if there were not.'
Madge thought for a second or two.
'Oh, Nan,' she said cheerfully, 'it would be so nice to have an old-maid sister at Kingscourt. She could do such a lot of things, and be so nice and helpful, without the fuss and pretension of a married woman. It would be really delightful to have you at Kingscourt!'
'I hope, dear, you will be happy at Kingscourt,' said Nan, in a somewhat lower voice.