De Burgh!" cried Mrs.
Ormonde, growing very grave, even pathetic, and looking inclined to cry.
"What would become of me--I mean us--if she changed her mind? 'Duke
would be furious; he would never forgive me."
"Pooh! nonsense! a man would forgive a woman like you anything."
"A woman, perhaps, but not his wife," she returned, shaking her head.
"But I won't think of anything so dreadful. I am quite sure Katie will
never break her word; she is awfully true."
"That is rather an alarming character. You make me quite curious. What
is she like--anything like you?"
"Not a bit. You know, she is only my sister-in-law. She is tall and
large, and much more decided"--looking up in his face with a caressing
smile.
"I understand. Not a delicate little darling, made for laughter and
kisses, and sugar, and spice, and all that's nice, like _you_." This
with an insolent, admiring look. "Not a woman to fall in love with, but
useful as a wife to keep one's household up to the collar."
"Really, Mr. De Burgh, you are very shocking! You must not say such
things to me."
"Mustn't I? How shall you prevent me? I am a relative, you know. You
can't treat me as a stranger."
"You are quite too audacious--" she was beginning, when a slim young
cornet came back from the billiard-room.
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