CONFIDENCE
"I am quite ready to speak for my friend," said Bernard, "but I am not ready to speak for Miss Vivian."
"Well, I am," Blanche declared. "She won't marry him."
"If she doesn't I'll eat my hat!" said Captain Lovelock. "What do you mean by saying that in America a pretty girl's mother doesn't care for a young man's property?"
"Well, they don't—we consider that dreadful. Why don't you say so, Mr. Longueville?" Blanche demanded. "I never saw any one take things so quietly. Haven't you got any patriotism?"
"My patriotism is modified by an indisposition to generalise," said Bernard, laughing. "On this point permit me not to generalise. I am interested in the particular case—in ascertaining whether Mrs. Vivian thinks very often of Gordon Wright's income."
Miss Evers gave a little toss of disgust.
"If you are so awfully impartial, you had better go and ask her."
"That's a good idea—I think I will go and ask her," said Bernard.
Captain Lovelock returned to his argument.
"Do you mean to say that your mother would be indifferent to the fact that I haven't a shilling in the world?"
"Indifferent?" Blanche demanded. "Oh no, she would be sorry for you. She is very charitable—she would give you a shilling!"
"She wouldn't let you marry me," said Lovelock.
"She wouldn't have much trouble to prevent it!" cried the young girl.
Bernard had had enough of this intellectual fencing.
"Yes, I will go and ask Mrs. Vivian," he repeated. And he left his companions to resume their walk.
68
