The girl had to be made to give Hugh up. She had been scornful when Augusta had hinted at a bribe, and Augusta was reluctant to repeat the offer: she sensed that money would not work with this girl. But she was clearly not the type to be bullied either.
Augusta would have to make her believe that separation would be the best thing for both Maisie and Hugh. It would work best if Maisie thought that giving Hugh up was her own idea. And that might be best achieved by Augusta arguing the opposite. Now, there was a good notion....
Augusta said: "If you want to marry him, I can't stop you." The girl looked surprised, and Augusta congratulated herself on having caught her off guard.
"What makes you think I want to marry him?" Maisie said.
Augusta almost laughed. She wanted to say The fact that you're a scheming little gold digger, but instead she said: "What girl wouldn't want to marry him? He's personable and good-looking and he comes from a great family. He has no money, but his prospects are excellent."
Maisie narrowed her eyes and said: "It almost sounds as if you want me to marry him."
Augusta intended to give exactly that impression, but she had to tread delicately. Maisie was suspicious and seemed too bright to be easily hoodwinked. "Let's not be fanciful, Maisie," she said. "Forgive me for saying so, but no woman of my class would wish a man of her family to marry quite so far below him."
Maisie showed no resentment. "She might if she hated him enough."
Feeling encouraged, Augusta continued to lead her on. "But I don't hate Hugh," she said. "Whatever gave you that idea?"
"He did. He told me you treat him as a poor relation and make sure everyone else does the same."
"How ungrateful people can be. But why would I wish to ruin his career?"
"Because he shows up that ass of a son of yours, Edward."
A wave of anger engulfed Augusta. Once again Maisie had come uncomfortably close to the truth. It was true that Edward lacked Hugh's low cunning, but Edward was a fine, sweet young man and Hugh was ill-bred. "I think you had better not mention the name of my son," Augusta said in a low voice.
Maisie grinned. "I seem to have touched a sore place." She immediately became grave again. "So that's your game. Well, I won't play it."
"What do you mean?" said Augusta.
Suddenly there were tears in Maisie's eyes. "I like Hugh too much to ruin him."
