"Very likely," said Nelly; "every one knows he, or his mother, has intended it for a long time. In fact, Gerty rather wants to have it over, as Mr. Dort is not a bad creature, and the sooner he understands that, though she has no notion of marrying him, he may come here all the same, the pleasanter it will be for all parties." "Of course she _has_ no notion of marrying him?" "Mr. Meredith, you are insulting! Gerty marry Matt Dort--an idiot like that!" "An idiot with an old title and a castle to match, in not distant perspective, combination of county influence, &c. &c. &c.," said Meredith, smiling; "not so very improbable, after all." "So Lady Gelston thinks," replied Nelly; "and won't it be a sell--the slang is delightfully expressive--when she finds it is not he." "And wouldn't it be a sell for her ladyship if it were? thought Meredith. "I suppose it will, indeed." was his reply. "Though all this is very amusing, I fancy I should consider it very humiliating if I were a woman. I cannot see anything enviable in a position which exposes one to such barefaced speculation." "Nonsense!" returned Eleanor, with a forced smile; "depend on it, if you were a woman, you would like very well to be in Gertrude's position, and have every one making much of you." As she spoke she threw down her mallet, and declared herself tired of croquet. "Here is Gertrude at last," said Mrs. Haldane Carteret, and all the party looked in the direction of the house. There was Gertrude, coming along the terrace, and with her George Ritherdon, supporting on his arm Mr. Dugdale. "Let us go and meet them," said Eleanor, "and tell Gerty to put the Honourable Matthew out of pain as soon as possible." "He is to be here this evening, I suppose," said Meredith, as they moved off the croquet-ground. "Yes," answered Eleanor; "Lady Gelston carefully provided for that last night--not that it was necessary, for he would have invited himself, and come under any circumstances." When Eleanor and Meredith joined Miss Baldwin and her escort, George Ritherdon said to his friend: "I will ask you to take my place. I find the post-hour here is horribly early, and I must really let my mother know where I am." "What on earth have you been doing?" said Meredith, as he offered his arm to Mr. Dugdale. "You went away two hours ago to write letters, you said." "I think we are to blame," said Gerty. "Mr. Ritherdon found us in the morning room--found uncle James and me, I mean--and we got talking, as Miss Congreve says, and--" "And I had an opportunity of finding out how much Ritherdon is to be liked," interposed Mr. Dugdale, George being now out of hearing. "I congratulate you on your companion, Robert."