“No,” said Elizabeth in a suffocated voice. “Not to be thought of.”

Horatia’s dark gaze dwelled bodingly on her second sister. “I think it would be a very good thing if Charlotte were to have R-Rule,” she pronounced.

“Horry!” gasped Charlotte.

“Lord, my dear, what things you say!” remarked Mrs Maulfrey indulgently. “It’s Elizabeth Rule wants.”

Horatia shook her head vehemently. “No. Only a Winwood,” she said in the tense way she had. “All arranged years ago. I d-don’t believe he’s set eyes on L-Lizzie upwards of half a d-dozen times. It can’t signify.”

Miss Charlotte released her sister’s hand, and said palpitatingly: “Nothing—nothing would induce me to marry Lord Rule, even if he had offered for me! The very notion of Matrimony is repugnant to me. I have long made up my mind to be a Prop to Mama.” She drew a breath. “If ever any gentleman could induce me to contemplate the Married State, I assure you, my dear Horry, it would be one far other than Lord Rule.”

Mrs Maulfrey had no difficulty in interpreting this announcement.”For my part, I like a rake,” she observed. “And Rule is so extremely handsome!”

“I think,” said Horatia obstinately, “that M-Mama might have suggested Charlotte.”

Elizabeth turned her head: “You don’t understand, Horry dear. Mama could not do such an odd thing.”

“Does my Aunt force you to it, Lizzie?” inquired Mrs Maulfrey, pleasantly intrigued.

“Oh no, no!” Elizabeth replied earnestly. “You know Mama’s tenderness. She is all consideration, all sensibility! It is only my own consciousness of my Duty to the Family that leads me to take a step so—so disastrous to my happiness.”

“M-mortgages,” said Horatia cryptically.

“Pelham, I suppose?” said Mrs Maulfrey.

“Of course it is Pelham,” replied Charlotte with a touch of bitterness. “Everything is his fault. Ruin stares us in the face.”