Lady Rylton looks at her.
"Of course _you_ object to it," says she.
"I!" says Marian.

"Why should I object to it?
I talk of marriage only in the abstract." "I am glad of that!" Lady Rylton's eyes are still fixed on hers.
"This will be a veritable marriage, I assure you; I have set my mind on it.

It is terrible to contemplate, but one must give way sometimes; yet the thought of throwing that girl into the arms of darling Maurice----" She breaks off, evidently overcome, yet behind the cobweb she presses to her cheeks she has an eye on Marian.
"I don't think Maurice's arms could hold her," says Mrs.Bethune, with a low laugh.

It is a strange laugh.

Lady Rylton's glance grows keener.