“You mean⁠—”

“I mean that you have grown too friendly with Harold Lovelace.”

“Well! What of it?”

His Grace put up his eyeglass, faintly astonished.

“What of it? Pray think a moment, Lavinia!”

“ ’Tis not likely that I shall be the one to disgrace the name, Tracy!”

“I sincerely hope not. I give you my word I should do all in my power to prevent any foolhardy action on your part. Pray do not forget it.”

She sat silent, biting her lips.

“It is, my child, unwise to play with fire. Sooner or later one gets burnt. And remember that your gallant captain has not one half of Richard’s wealth.”