Carrington began to
congratulate--'
'The public has bestowed so many ladies on the Baron, that I wonder
it is not tired,' said Claude. 'It is time it should patronise
William instead.'
'Rotherwood is not the public,' said Lily, 'and he is the last person
to say anything impertinent of papa. And I myself heard papa call
her Alethea, which he never used to do. Claude, what do you think?'
After a long pause Claude slowly replied, 'Think? Why, I think Miss
Weston must be a person of great courage. She begins the world as a
grandmother, to say nothing of her eldest daughter and son being
considerably her seniors.'
'I do not believe it,' said Lily. 'Do you, Claude?'
'I cannot make up my mind--it is too amazing. My hair is still
standing on end. When it comes down I may be able to tell you
something.'
Such were the only answers that Lily could extract from him. He did
not sufficiently disbelieve the report to treat it with scorn, yet he
did not sufficiently credit it to resign himself to such a state of
things.
On coming home Lily found Emily and Jane in her room, eagerly
discussing the circumstances which, to their prejudiced eyes, seemed
strong confirmation.
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