When he had first seen her at Fawn Court he had not been altogether silent.

But he had been warned away from Fawn Court, and in that very warning there was conveyed, as it were, an absolution from the effect of words hitherto spoken.

Though he had called Lady Fawn an old fool, he had known that it was so,--had, after a fashion, perceived her wisdom,--and had regarded himself as a man free to decide, without disgrace, that he might abandon ideas of ecstatic love and look out for a rich wife.

Presuming himself to be reticent for the future in reference to his darling Lucy, he might do as he pleased with himself.

Thus there had come a moment in which he had determined that he would ask his rich cousin to marry him.