’Certainly not, for many reasons.  In the first place, you do not love him; in the second, your father would not approve of such a match; in the third, you are not suited to him.’

’I understand.  Not good enough.  But why do you defend him?  Do you think it was right of him to say what he did to me?’

’Well, perhaps not.  But I think he has been nursing these feelings for you so long, that he began to forget whether they were right or wrong, sensible or foolish; and last night, carried away by the excitement of the day and his own success, and finding himself alone with you—­you, probably, more friendly than usual—­he forgot his customary prudence, and overstepped the bounds of conventionality.’

’Very well said, Nita.  Then it was wrong of me to be friendly, and right of him to make a dunce of himself.’

’Perhaps if you had ever felt as he does, Freda, you might make some excuse for him.’

’I am sure you must have been in love a hundred times, you are so sentimental, and would like to see him run away with me.’

‘Quite wrong again.’

’Then what would you like, for I am sure you don’t approve of my conduct?’

’Simply, that you should have treated a clergyman and a gentleman as such, and at least felt grateful that a good and honest heart was offered to you, even though you would not accept it.’

’But I don’t believe in the heart, you see, Serena.  There is not a more mercenary race under the sun than the clergy.  They all marry for money.  I can mention quite a dozen; his own uncle at the head of them.  Now, you cannot suppose that he married Mrs Jonathan Prothero for anything but her fortune and her family.’

’I think he is too simple-minded a man to have considered either the one or the other.’

’Then why didn’t he marry some simple-minded girl, his equal?  No, you are quite out of your depth now, Serena.  Depend upon it, that Rowland Prothero will soon find some English lady just as rich as I am to be—­always provided that Lady Mary Nugent doesn’t carry off papa, and get him to leave her the property.  These men don’t seem to know that it is not entailed; and that, after all, I may be cut off with a shilling.  I think I may venture to affirm that were such the case, there is not one of my ninety-nine adorers who would have me, except, perhaps poor Sir Hugh.’

’Perhaps, Freda, I may have been imprudent, situated as I am here, in even saying what I have in favour of Rowland Prothero.  The fact is, that not only do I particularly like what I know of him, but there is a little passage in my early history that makes me have a great pity for young men who venture to fall in love with young ladies who consider themselves their superiors.’

’If you will tell me your story, Nita, I will forgive you all the rest, and finish this sketch of Abertewey for Colonel Vaughan, meanwhile.’