There's not a man of all
Hartledon's guests but has more right to be here than Val Elster."
"Yet they are brothers still."
"Brothers! I'll take care that Val Elster presumes no more upon the tie
when Maude reigns at--"
For once the countess-dowager caught up her words. She had said more than
she had meant to say. Anne Ashton's calm sweet eyes were bent upon her,
waiting for more.
"It is true," she said, giving a shake to the purple tails, and taking a
sudden resolution, "Maude is to be his wife; but I ought not to have let
it slip out. It was unintentional; and I throw myself on your honour,
Miss Ashton."
"But it is not true?" asked Anne, somewhat perplexed.
"It _is_ true. Hartledon has his own reasons for keeping it quiet at
present; but--you'll see when the time comes. Should I take upon myself
so much rule here, but that it is to be Maude's future home?"
"I don't believe it," cried Anne, as the old story-teller sailed off.
"That she loves him, and that her mother is anxious to secure him, is
evident; but he is truthful and open, and would never conceal it. No, no,
Lady Maude! you are cherishing a false hope. You are very beautiful, but
you are not worthy of him; and I should not like you for my sister-in-law
at all. That dreadful old countess-dowager! How she dislikes Val, and how
rude she is! I'll try not to come in her way again after to-day, as long
as they are at Hartledon.
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