“Be civil—­that’s all,” said Wilfrid, pressing the hand given.  “These consultations of yours and acting in concert—­one tongue for three women—­are a sort of missish, unripe nonsense, that one sees only in bourgeoise girls—­eh?  Give it up.  Lady Charlotte hit on it at a glance.”

“And I, my chameleon brother, will return her the compliment, some day,” Adela said to herself, as she hurried back to her sisters, bearing a message for Cornelia.  This lady required strong persuasion.  A word from Adela:  “He will think you have some good reason to deny him a private interview,” sent her straight to the stairs.

Wilfrid was walking up and down, with his arms folded and his brows bent.  Cornelia stood in the doorway.

“You desire to speak to me, Wilfrid?  And in private?”

“I didn’t wish to congratulate you publicly, that’s all.  I know it’s rather against your taste.  We’ll shut the door, and sit down, if you don’t mind.  Yes, I congratulate you with all my heart,” he said, placing a chair for Cornelia.

“May I ask, wherefore?”

“You don’t think marriage a matter for congratulation?”

“Sometimes:  as the case may be.”

“Well, it’s not marriage yet.  I congratulate you on your offer.”

“I thank you.”

“You accept it, of course.”

“I reject it, certainly.”

After this preliminary passage, Wilfrid remained silent long enough for Cornelia to feel uneasy.

“I want you to congratulate me also,” he recommenced.  “We poor fellows don’t have offers, you know.  To be frank, I think Lady Charlotte Chillingworth will have me, if—­She’s awfully fond of Besworth, and I need not tell you that as she has position in the world, I ought to show something in return.  When you wrote about Besworth, I knew it was as good as decided.  I told her so and—­Well, I fancy there’s that sort of understanding between us.  She will have me when...  You know how the poorer members of the aristocracy are situated.  Her father’s a peer, and has a little influence.  He might push me; but she is one of a large family; she has nothing.  I am certain you will not judge of her as common people might.  She does me a particular honour.”

“Is she not much older than you, Wilfrid?” said Cornelia.

“Or, in other words,” he added, “is she not a very mercenary person?”

“That, I did not even imply.”

“Honestly, was it not in your head?”

“Now you put it so plainly, I do say, it strikes me disagreeably; I have heard of nothing like it.”

“Do you think it unreasonable that I should marry into a noble family?”

“That is, assuredly, not my meaning.”

“Nevertheless, you are, on the whole, in favour of beggarly alliances.”

“No, Wilfrid.”

“Why do you reject this offer that has been made to you?”

Cornelia flushed and trembled; the traitorous feint had thrown her off her guard.  She said, faltering: