“You are mistaken,” rejoined Mrs. Calverley. “Mildred, I feel sure, will not marry immediately.” This was said with so much significance that both her hearers were struck by it; and Emmeline gave her cousin a slight pinch, as much as to say:
“There, sir, you see what you have done.”
At this instant Chetwynd and Mildred returned from the further end of the garden, and joined the party on the lawn.
Captain Danvers thought Mildred's manner colder to him than it had been before, but he soon received an explanation of the change from Chetwynd, who took him aside and said:
“I have had some conversation about you with my sister, and have ascertained her sentiments. It will be useless to propose to her. You will be refused.”
“Is this quite certain, my dear Chetwynd?”
“Quite certain. Whether she is acting by Mrs. Calverley's advice, I can't say; but she has made up her mind to refuse you.”
The captain was confounded.
Apparently he had lost his chance with both ladies.