In a tone that
emulated, and more than equaled, the indifference of her
mother's, she answered:
"And papa?"
"Has referred him to you, of course," replied Lady Margaret.
"Meaning it?"
"What else? Why not? Is he not a _bon parli?_"
"Then papa did not mean it?" "I do not understand you,"
elaborated the mother, with a mingled yawn, which she was far
from attempting to suppress, seeing she simulated it.
"If Mr. Redmain is such a good match in papa's eyes," explained
Hesper, "why does papa refer him to me?"
"That you may accept him, of course."
"How much has the man promised to pay for me?"
"_Hesper!_"
"I beg your pardon, mamma. I thought you approved of calling
things by their right names!"
"No girl can do better than follow her mother's example," said
Lady Margaret, with vague sequence. "If _you_ do, Hesper,
you will accept Mr. Redmain."
Hesper fixed her eyes on her mother, but hers were too cold and
clear to quail before them, let them flash and burn as they
pleased.
"As you did papa?" said Hesper.
"As I did Mr. Mortimer."
"That explains a good deal, mamma."
"We are _your_ parents, anyhow, Hesper."
"I suppose so. I don't know which to be sorrier for--you or me.
Tell me, mamma: would _you_ marry Mr. Redmain?"
"That is a foolish question, and ought not to be put. It is one
which, as a married woman, I could not consider without
impropriety.
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