11/39 "Good heavens! what a business! what an extraordinary business!" He stopped short in front of Aldous. "Where have you been meeting her--this young lady ?" "At the Hardens'-- sometimes in Mellor village. She goes about among the cottages a great deal." "You have not proposed to her ?" "I was not certain of myself till to-day. Besides it would have been presumption so far. She has shown me nothing but the merest friendliness." "What, you can suppose she would refuse you!" cried Lord Maxwell, and could not for the life of him keep the sarcastic intonation out of his voice. |