Miss Pink, noticing the
change, set it down to an expression of pride on the part of her visitor
which, in referring to Isabel, assailed indirectly the social position
of Isabel's aunt.
"I fail entirely to understand what your Ladyship means," she said
coldly.
Lady Lydiard, on her side, looked in undisguised amazement at Miss Pink.
"Haven't I told you already that Mr. Hardyman admires your niece?" she
asked.
"Naturally," said Miss Pink. "Isabel inherits her lamented mother's
personal advantages. If Mr. Hardyman admires her, Mr. Hardyman shows his
good taste."
Lady Lydiard's eyes opened wider and wider in wonder. "My good lady!"
she exclaimed, "is it possible you don't know that when a man admires
a women he doesn't stop there? He falls in love with her (as the saying
is) next."
"So I have heard," said Miss Pink.
"So you have _heard?_" repeated Lady Lydiard. "If Mr. Hardyman finds
his way to Isabel I can tell you what you will _see_. Catch the two
together, ma'am--and you will see Mr. Hardyman making love to your
niece."
"Under due restrictions, Lady Lydiard, and with my permission first
obtained, of course, I see no objection to Mr. Hardyman paying his
addresses to Isabel."
"The woman is mad!" cried Lady Lydiard. "Do you actually suppose, Miss
Pink, that Alfred Hardyman could, by any earthly possibility, marry your
niece!"
Not even Miss Pink's politeness could submit to such a question as this.
She rose indignantly from her chair.
Pages:
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108