"I devoutly hope you are wrong, my dear," replied his lordship humourously. "For when my father uses every means to achieve an end, he invariably does achieve it." Miss Challoner got up, smiling a little ironically. "Vastly pretty, my lord. I could almost suppose that you wanted to marry me." She moved towards the door which his lordship held open for her. "I assure you, ma'am, I am becoming hourly more reconciled to the prospect," he said, and surprised her by taking her hand and kissing it, very much in the grand manner."