I fear I am the most undutiful wretch in nature, she wrote, and cannot doubt that Papa wilt be all out of patience with me. She thought wryly that the last remark might well qualify her as a mistress of understatement. Upon learning that his inconsiderate daughter had involved herself in an adventure that removed her from the vicinity of her most serious swain, and thus made impossible his anticipated proposal of marriage, Claude de Villiers would undoubtedly raise the devil of a fuss. It was entirely his fault, however, for running so monstrously into debt. This is a very grave matter, dear Mama, of which I must inform you. You will wonder why I wrote to you from this address instead of from Aunt Letty’s home. Maddy absentmindedly chewed her pen, much to the detriment of that instrument, and wondered how best to explain to her long-suffering parent Clem’s reappearance in their lives. Lady Henrietta had been kindly disposed toward her daughter’s school friend, but Maddy did not anticipate that her mother would be pleased with the circumstances of their reacquaintance.
