“Yes, of course,” Lydia agreed, “and, if you had ever hunted, you would know that it is disappointing to catch the fox too quickly.”
Heloise thought about this for a moment.
Then she said,
“When he asks me to marry him, I think I shall prevaricate a little and say that I want time to make up my mind.”
“That would be a clever idea,” Lydia agreed.
“But suppose he then goes away?”
“I am quite sure,” Lydia, answered, “that this is the first time the Earl has ever asked anybody to marry him. He must love you, Heloise! Really love you! So you are very very lucky!”
“Of course I am lucky,” Heloise agreed. “I always have been. But I shall accept the Earl just in case he changes his mind and no decent man would back out of an engagement.”
“If there is one thing you can be absolutely certain
