"Yes, dear. I really don't see why there should be this absurd reserve between us."
"I am quite willing," replied the girl, "to hear what you have to say about it."
"Well, I suppose Arthur has told you all there is to tell. If there is anything more that you want to know I shall be very glad to tell you."
"Well, of course, I don't understand it at all," burst out Mrs. Agar eagerly. This was quite true; neither she nor Arthur could understand how any one could refuse such a glorious offer as he had made.
"Perhaps I can explain. Arthur asked me to marry him. I quite appreciated the honour, but I declined it."
"Yes, but why? Surely you didn't mean it?"
"Well," explained Mrs. Agar, with a little toss of the head, "I am sure I cannot see what more you want. There are many girls who would be glad to be mistress of Stagholme."
And it must be remembered that she said this knowing quite well that Jem was probably alive. There are some crimes which women commit daily in the family circle which deserve a greater punishment than that meted out to a legal criminal.
"That is precisely what I ventured to point out to Arthur," said Dora, unconsciously borrowing her father's ironical neatness of enunciation.
"But why shouldn't you take the opportunity? There are not many estates like it in England. Your position would be as good as that of a titled lady, and I am sure you could not want a better husband."
"I like Arthur as a friend, but I could never marry him, so it is useless to discuss the question."
"Because I do not care for him in the right way."
"But that would come," said Mrs. Agar. It was only natural that she should use an argument which is accountable for more misery on earth than mothers dream of.
Mrs. Agar gave a cunning little laugh, and paused so as to lend additional weight to her next remark.
"That is a dangerous thing for a girl to say."
"Yes, because they can never be sure, unless--"
"Unless there is some one else," said Mrs. Agar, with an exaggerated significance suggestive of the servants' hall.
Dora did not answer at once. They walked on for a few moments in silence, passing other guests walking in couples. Then Dora replied with a succinctness acquired from her father:
"Generalities about women," she said, "are always a mistake. Indeed, all generalities are dangerous. But if you and Arthur care to apply this to me, you are at liberty to do so. Whatever generalities you apply and whatever you say will make no difference to the main question. Moreover, you will, perhaps, be acting a kinder part if you give Arthur to understand once for all that my decision is final."