course, he is quite unexceptionable, and she can do as she likes now
she is of age. Lady Mary expected a title, and I don't think she is
quite satisfied. She told me--at least--they say--at least--of course,
there are always objections, and--and--all that sort of thing, you
know.'

Freda was too hard at work, trying to overcome a very strong desire to
burst into tears, to observe that her father had not once used his
favourite phrase, or lost the thread of his words, until he came to
'Lady Mary told me,' so when he stopped, she simply said, 'Really! Yes!'
and he went on again.

'I must confess, Freda, I am rather disappointed. I thought Gwynne liked
you, and, indeed, I think so still. But--ah! my dear--you are so proud,
or cold, or--or--that you refuse every one. It has been suggested to me
by--ah! I have remarked, I mean, that you must have a secret liking for
some one, not quite what one considers--ah!--eligible--and that--but, I
am sure, Freda, I would make any sacrifice for your happiness, and
should wish to see you married.'

'What do you mean, papa?' said Freda, effectually roused.

'Well, my dear, it is thought--I mean, I have fancied--I mean
Lady--I--I--the fact is, are you attached to Rowland Prothero? Now, I am
not angry, Freda; he is one of the nicest young men, and the best--but I
should have preferred Gwynne, or Sir Hugh, or--or--in fact, many others,
in a worldly point of view. A tenant's son, and only a curate!--and all
that sort of thing. But then as Lady--as--as I--as your father, my dear,
I should like to make you happy. You see, that day at the vicarage,
we--that is to say, I--thought there was something peculiar in his
manner and yours; and to be sure, he may be a bishop, he is so good and
clever. A great favourite of mine. And if he lives in London, it doesn't
so much matter; and--and--in short--Freda--'

'Papa, I understand,' said Freda, rising from her seat with majestic
pride, 'Lady Mary has been kind enough to suggest, doubtless for her own
ends, what never could have entered your mind. I am very much obliged to
you for forgetting, on my account, what I cannot forget on my own, that
I am a Gwynne of Glanyravon! and I daresay you meant it kindly. But you
may make my compliments to Lady Mary Nugent, and tell her, that if there
was anything peculiar in Rowland Prothero's manner on that particular
Sunday, it was because he had been bold enough to propose for me, and I
had rejected him. You may