Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 13).pdf/31

Rh have perished from starvation. But all this Lady Staveley could not explain to him; nor would it have been satisfactory to her feelings had it been in her power to do so. Still there remained the question, 'Does she care for any one else?'

'Mr. Orme,' she said, 'I will do all for you that a mother can do or ought to do; but I must not admit that you have a right to ask such a question as that. If I were to answer that now, you would feel yourself justified in asking it again when perhaps it might not be so easy to answer.'

'I beg your pardon, Lady Staveley;' and Peregrine blushed up to his eyes. 'I did not intend'

'No; do not beg my pardon, seeing that you have given me no offence. As I said just now, all that a mother can and ought to do I will do for you. I am very frank, and tell you that I should be rejoiced to have you for my son-in-law.'

'I'm sure I'm very much obliged to you.'

'But neither by me nor by her father will any constraint ever be put on the inclinations of our child. At any rate as to whom she will not accept she will always be allowed to judge for herself. I have told you that to us you would be acceptable as a suitor; and after that I think it will be best to leave the matter for the present without any further words. Let it be understood that you will spend next Christmas at Noningsby, and then you will both be older and perhaps know your own minds better.'

'That's a year, you know.'

'A year is not so very long—at your time of life.' By which latter remark Lady Staveley did not show her knowledge of human nature.

'And I suppose I had better go now?' said Peregrine sheepishly.

'If you like to go into the drawing-room, I'm sure they will all be very glad to see you.'

But Peregrine declared that he would not do this on any account. 'You do not know, Lady Staveley, what a fool I should make myself. It would be all over with me then.'

'You should be more moderate in your feelings, Mr. Orme.'

'It's all very well saying that; but you wouldn't be moderate if Noningsby were on fire, or if you thought the judge was going to die.'

'Good gracious, Mr. Orme!'

'It's the same sort of thing to me, I can tell you. A man can't be moderate when he feels that he should like to break his own neck. I declare I almost tried to do it to-day.

'Oh, Mr. Orme!'

'Well; I did. But don't suppose I say that as a sort of threat. I'm safe enough to live for the next sixty years. It's only the happy people and those that are some good in the world that die. Good-bye, Lady Staveley. I'll come back next Christmas;—that is