Papa, do not send me to Lady Cantrip.'
Of course it was decided that she should not go to Lady Cantrip at
once, or to Mrs Jeffrey Palliser, and, after a short interval of
doubt, it was decided also that Mrs Finn should remain at Matching
for at least a fortnight. The Duke declared that he would be glad
to see Mr Finn, but she knew in his present mood the society of
any one man to whom he would feel himself called upon to devote
his time, would be a burden to him, and she plainly said that Mr
Finn had better not come to Matching at present. 'There are old
occasions,' she said, 'which will enable you to bear with me as
you will with your butler or your groom, but you are not as yet
quite able to make yourself happy with company.' This he bore
with perfect equanimity, and then, as it were, handed over his
daughter to Mrs Finn's care.
Very quickly there came a close intimacy between Mrs Finn and
Lady Mary. For a day or two the elder woman, though the place she
filled was one of absolute confidence, rather resisted than
encouraged the intimacy.
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