Her escapade of the night before had also shrunk to a matter of small importance. Eustace in his grand, easy way had justified her, and she was no longer tormented by the thought of the mute reproach she would encounter in Scott's eyes. She was triumphantly vindicated, and no one would dream of reproaching her now. Isabel too--surely Isabel would be glad, would welcome her as a sister, though the realization of this nearness of relationship made her blush in sheer horror at her presumption.
She to be Lady Studley! She--little, insignificant, moneyless Dinah! The thought of Rose's soft patronage flashed through her brain, and she chuckled aloud. Poor dear Rose, waiting for him at the Court, expecting every day to hear of his promised advent! What a shock for them all! Why, she would rank with the County now! Even Lady Grace would scarcely be in a position to patronize her! Again, quite involuntarily, she chuckled.
She blushed very deeply, realizing that she had allowed her thoughts to run away with her.
"There isn't a joke really," she told him. "It wasn't important anyhow. I was only thinking how--how surprised the de Vignes would be."
He frowned momentarily; then he laughed. "Proud of your conquest, eh?" he asked.
She blushed still more deeply. "It's easy to laugh now, but I shall never dare to face them," she murmured.
He took her hand as they walked, linking his fingers in hers with a careless air of possession. "When you are Lady Studley," he said, "I shall not allow you to knock under to anyone--except your husband."
She gave a faint laugh. "I--shall have to learn to swagger," she said. "But I'm afraid I shall never do it as well as you do."
"What? Swagger?" He frowned again. "How dare you accuse me of that?"
"Oh, I didn't! I don't!" Hastily she sought to avert his displeasure. "No, no! I only meant that you were born to it. I'm not. I--I'm very ordinary; not nearly good enough for you."
His frown melted again. "You are--Daphne," he said. "Ah! Here is Scott, coming to look for us! Who is going to break the news to him?"
She made a small, ineffectual attempt to release her hand. Then, under her breath, "He--saw you kiss me last night," she whispered. "Don't you think he may have guessed already?"