However, he put the best face he could on the matter, and said:
“I am obliged to you for the information you have given me. Had I meant to propose to Miss Calverley, it would not have deterred me; but I have no such intention.”
“And you expect me to believe this after what I beheld just now?” said Mrs. Calverley, incredulously.
“I expect you to believe what I tell you,” rejoined the captain rather haughtily. “And I again assert that I have _not_ proposed to her.”
“I am glad to hear it. It would have pained me to do a disagreeable thing.”
“Undoubtedly. However, since you give me this assurance, I need say no more.”
Later on in the day, Chetwynd and Captain Danvers were smoking a cigar in the dressing-room of the former, when the captain broached a subject on which he had been ruminating.
“Chetwynd, old boy,” he said, “I want to ask you a question. Don't think me impertinent; but I should like to know whether it is true that Mrs. Calverley has the entire control of your sister's fortune?”
“I'll answer the question frankly,” replied Chetwynd. “She has. My father, as you may be aware, made an extraordinary will, and it was the strange disposition of his property that caused the quarrel between myself and my step-mother. You talk of my sister's fortune. Properly speaking, she has none. She has a handsome allowance from Mrs. Calverley, who always declares she will give her a portion of thirty thousand pounds on her marriage.”
“Provided she approves of her choice--is not that a condition?” said the captain.
“Pardon me. I think it means a great deal. It might cause a match to be broken off.”
“It might, certainly, if acted upon. But Mrs. Calverley is very much attached to my sister, and will never oppose her choice. At least I fancy not.”
“I have reason to believe otherwise, my dear Chetwynd. She has already given me a pretty strong hint!”
“Have you said anything to her about Mildred?”
“_No_; but she has spoken to me, and has clearly intimated that I am not the man of _her_ choice. Were I to be accepted, depend upon it, Mildred would have no portion.”
“I don't see how. I have no influence over Mrs. Calverley, and am determined not to meddle in any family matters. Besides, I should do no good. But I don't think there is any real ground for apprehension. As I have just said, she is extremely fond of Mildred, and if she felt my sister's happiness were at stake, she wouldn't interfere with any engagement she might form. I am certain of that. Though I cannot aid you, I will tell you who can, and most efficiently--your cousin, Emmeline Barfleur. I wonder she has not occurred to you.”