Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/192

 fine pair of shoulders, and so made a violent end of the pause which had followed the important announcement. "Whatever you do, be careful not to give away the whole position. There's a cunning old fox to deal with, and if he finds the weak spot, we're done."

"You mean he thinks as I do?"

"I don't say he does exactly, but, of course, he may. When you come to Bridport House, you are up against all sorts of crassness."

"Or common sense, whichever you choose to call it," said the troubled Mary.

"Don't you go playing for them." He shook the fine shoulders in a masterful colonial manner. "If you do, I'll never forgive you. Bridport House can be trusted to take very good care of itself. We've got to keep our own end going. If we have really made up our minds to get married, no one has a right to prevent us, and it's up to you to let his Grace know that."

Again came the look of trouble. "But suppose I don't happen to think so?"

"I think so for you. In fact, I think it so strongly that I intend to answer for both."

She could not help secretly admiring this cool audacity. At any rate, it was the speech of a man who knew his own mind, and in spite of herself it pleased her.

"Now, remember." Once more the over-bold wooer resorted to physical violence: "You simply can't afford to enjoy the luxury of your fine feelings in this scene of the comedy. As I say, he's a cunning old fox and he'll play on them for all he's worth."

"But why should he?"

"Because he knows you are Mrs. Sanderson's niece."