"You should be more cautious." "Cautious! Why so?
I love and respect Anne beyond any girl on earth.

But that Val hastened to make hay when the sun shone, whilst I fell asleep under the hedge, I don't know but I might have proposed to her myself," he added, with a laugh.

"However, it shall not be my fault if Val does not win her." The countess-dowager said no more.

She was worldly-wise in her way, and thought it best to leave well alone.

Sailing out of the room she left them alone together: as she was fond of doing.
"Is it not rather--rather beneath an Elster to marry an obscure country clergyman's daughter ?" began Lady Maude, a strange bitterness filling her heart.
"I tell you, Maude, the Ashtons are our equals in all ways.