‘No,’ said Miss Tresilian, eyeing him with hostility, ‘she is not! The indifferent state of her health—’

He gave a crack of sardonic laughter. ‘You needn’t tell me! Still suffering spasms and vapours to throw a rub in your way, is she?’

‘Pray, did you come here merely to discuss my sister’s constitution?’ demanded Miss Tresilian.

‘You know very well why I am here! This lamentable affair between your niece and my cousin—which you appear to have encouraged!’

‘I can assure you, however, that had I known of Mr Rosely’s relationship to you, sir, I should have done my utmost to discourage an affair which I dislike quite as much as you do!’

‘A pretty sort of guardian, not to have made it your business to enquire who were Arthur’s relations!’ he said scathingly.

‘And did you make it your business to acquaint yourself with all Lucy’s remote cousins?’ she retorted.

‘It was unnecessary. I knew her to be your niece, and that was enough! In plain words, I don’t wish for the connection, and shall do what I may to put an end to it. Don’t underrate me! you’ll find I can do a great deal!’

‘Do rid your mind of the notion that the connection is any more welcome to me than it is to you!’ begged Miss Tresilian. ‘Nothing could be more repugnant to me than an alliance with any member of your family!’

‘So I should suppose—since you made it plain enough when you jilted me!’

‘If you mean by that that I terminated an unfortunate engagement which you were regretting quite as much as I—’

‘I didn’t come here to discuss ancient history!’ he interrupted roughly.

‘Well, if you came merely to inform me that you don’t wish your precious cousin to marry Lucy you’ve wasted your time!’ she countered.

‘Ah!’ instantly responded his lordship. ‘So you do support them, do you? I might have known it!’