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Yet, upon my word, I think that Lord Beverdale or shall I say Lord Algernon? would not only understand that American word 'guess' as you mean it, but would perfectly sympathize with you." Miss Desborough's eyes sparkled even through her veil as she glanced at her companion and said, "I GUESS NOT."
"But I thought all this property the Priory came into the family through HER." "It did this was the Amelyns' place; but the oldest son or nearest male heir always succeeds to the property and title." "Do you mean to say that the present Lord Beverdale turned that old lady out?" Miss Amelyn looked shocked.
But I dare say you'd find the place quite as comfortable with Lord Beverdale for a host as you would if you had found out he were a cousin," he added. "Better," said the young lady frankly. "I suppose your mother participates in these preferences?" said the consul, with a smile. "No," said Miss Desborough, with the same frankness, "I think maw's rather cut up at not finding a Desborough.
He found she was staying with Lady Minever at Hedham Towers, and I went over and invited her with a little party. She's a Miss Desborough." The consul gave a slight start, and was aware that Beverdale was looking at him. "Perhaps you know her?" said Beverdale. "Just enough to agree with you that she is charming," said the consul. "I dined with them, and saw them at the consulate."
"I should think any countrywoman of mine would be quite satisfied with the Priory," said the consul, glancing thoughtfully towards the pile dimly seen through the park. "I shouldn't like her to be bored here," continued Beverdale. "Algy met her at Rome, where she was occupying a palace with her mother they're very rich, you know.
Yet even then he knew she was clever enough to extricate herself in some other way than this abrupt and brutal tearing through the meshes. Or was it possible that she really had any intelligence affecting her property? He reflected that he knew very little of the Desboroughs, but on the other hand he knew that Beverdale knew them much better, and was a prudent man.
It held its calm indifferent sway over all who passed its low-arched portals, and the consul was fain to believe that he a foreign visitor was no more alien to the house than its present owner. "I'm expecting a very charming compatriot of yours to-morrow," said Lord Beverdale as they drove from the station together. "You must tell me what to show her."
"I mean to say," she said gravely, "Lady Beverdale would have had to go when her own son became of age, had he lived." She paused, and then said timidly, "Isn't it that way in America?" "Dear no!" Miss Desborough had a faint recollection that there was something in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence against primogeniture. "No! the men haven't it ALL their own way THERE not much!"
He heard Lord Beverdale say a few words to his companions, saw with a tinge of remorse a cloud settle upon Lord Algernon's fresh face, as he appealed in a whisper to old Lady Mesthyn, who leaned forward from the carriage, and said, "If the dear child thought I could be of any service, I should only be too glad to stay with her."
Lord Beverdale contented himself with rallying his fair guest on the becomingness of "good works." But he continued, "You're offering a dreadful example to these ladies, Miss Desborough, and I know I shall never hereafter be able to content them with any frivolous morning amusement at the Priory. For myself, when I am grown gouty and hideous, I know I shall bloom again as a district visitor."
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