“You're right,” remarked Norris, drily. “What does Miss Mildred think of it?”
“I can't tell,” replied Laura. “But it's perfectly immaterial what she thinks. Mrs. Calverley hasn't consulted her, and doesn't mean to consult her. But I don't fancy she likes it. Not that she cares for his lordship, for I believe she has made it up with Captain Danvers. However, I'm not in the secret, for the girls have got a lady's-maid of their own, and she doesn't talk much. But if that's the case we shall have a lot of marriages before long.”
“How so, Laura?” inquired Norris.
“Why, it's certain Miss Barfleur has accepted Mr. Chetwynd!”
“Accepted Mr. Chetwynd!” exclaimed the old butler. “That's good news, indeed—too good to be true, I'm afraid!”
“Oh, no, it's quite correct,” rejoined Laura. “Mr. Higgins told me there was a great consultation about it yesterday. Lady Thicknesse and Mr. Scrope Danvers, it seems, object to the match; but Miss Barfleur is determined to have him, and when a young lady makes up her mind opposition is useless, Mr. Norris!”
“Especially when the young lady is a great heiress!” rejoined the butler. “Now tell me something about our new master, Laura, for I suppose we shall have to call his lordship 'master' before long. Is he handsome?”
“Well, there is a difference of opinion on that point, Mr. Norris,” she replied. “But he has a very stylish look, and is extremely affable in his manner. In short, he looks like a person of rank. But he's coming here in a few days, and then you'll be able to judge for yourself.”
“Coming here, is he?” cried Norris, gruffly. “I'd rather he kept away. I suppose he wants to see whether the place will suit him?”
“Being engaged, he must take it whether it suits him or not,” observed Laura.