"For giving my opinion of your Anne Ashton ?" "Precisely.

You have driven Val away in suppressed indignation." "Is Val of the Anne Ashton faction, that the truth should tell upon him, as well as upon you ?" she returned, striving to maintain an assumption of sarcastic coldness.
"It is upon him that the words will tell.

Anne is engaged to him." "Is it true?
Is Val really engaged to her ?" cried the countess-dowager in an ecstacy of relief, lifting her snub nose and painted cheeks, whilst a glad light came into Maude's eyes again.

"I did hear he was engaged to some girl; but such reports of younger sons go for nothing." "Val was engaged to her before he went abroad.

Whether he will get her or not, is another thing." "To hear you talk, Hartledon, one might have supposed you cared for the girl yourself," cried Lady Kirton; but her brow was smooth again, and her tone soft as honey.