“I wish you hadnt told me about it.”

“Well, Marian, I couldnt help it.  I know, of course, that you only wanted to make us all happy; but you nursed this match and kept it in Constance’s mind as much as you could.  Besides—­though it was not your fault—­that mistake about Conolly was too serious not to explain.  Dont be downcast:  I am not blaming you a bit.”

“It seems to me that the worst view of things is always the true one in this world.  Nelly and Jasper were right about you.”

“Aha!  So they saw what I felt.  You cant say I did not make my intentions plain enough to every unbiassed person.  The Countess was determined to get Constance off her hands; Constance was determined to have me; and you were determined to stick up for your own notions of love and honeysuckles.”

“I was determined to stick up for you, Marmaduke.”

“Dont be indignant:  I knew you would stick up for me in your own way.  But what I want to shew is, that only three people believed that I was in earnest; and those three were prejudiced.”

“I wish you had enlightened Constance, and deceived all the rest of the world, instead.  No doubt I was wrong, very wrong.  I am very sorry.”

“Pshaw!  It doesnt matter.  It will all blow over some day.  Hush, I hear the garden gate opening.  It is Constance, come to spy what I am doing here with you.  She is as jealous as a crocodile—­very nearly made a scene yesterday because I played with Nelly against her at tennis.  I have to drive her to Bushy Copse this afternoon, confound it!”

“And will you, after what you have just confessed?”

“I must.  Besides, Jasper says that Conolly is coming this evening to pack up his traps and go; and I want to be out of the way when he is about.”

“This evening!”

“Yes.  Between ourselves, Marian, Susanna and I were so put out by the cool way he carried on when he called, that we had a regular quarrel after he went; and we haven’t made it up yet.”

“Pray dont talk about it to me, Duke.  Here is Constance.”

“So you are here,” said Constance, gaily, but with a quick glance at them.  “That is a pretty way to bring your cousin in to luncheon, sir.”

“We got chatting about you, my ownest,” said Marmaduke; “and the subject was so sweet, and the moments were so fleet, that we talked for quite an hour on the strict q.t.  Eh, Marian?”

“As a punishment, you shall have no lunch.  Mamma is very angry with you both.”

“Always ready to make allowances for her, provided she sends you to lecture me, Conny.  Why dont you wear your hat properly?” He arranged her hat as he spoke.  Constance laughed and blushed.  Marian shuddered.  “Now youre all that fancy painted you:  youre lovely, youre divine.  Are you ready for Bushy Copse?”

Constance replied by singing: 

  “Oh yes, if you please, kind sir, she said; sir, she said; sir, she said;
  Oh! yes if you ple—­ease, kind sir, she said.”