As she
read the few words her eyes became laden with tears. They quite
sufficed to relieve the injured pride which had sat so heavy at
her heart. 'I believe I did you a wrong, and therefore I ask you
your pardon!' It was so like what she had believed the man to be!
She could not be longer angry with him. And yet the very last
words she had spoken were words complaining of his conduct. 'This
is from the Duke,' she said, putting the letter back into its
envelope.
'Oh, indeed.'
'It is odd that it should have come while you were here.'
'Is it,--is it,--about Lady Mary?'
'No;--at least,--not directly. I perhaps spoke more harshly about
him than I should have done. The truth is I had expected a line
from him, and it had not come. Now it is here; but I do not
suppose I shall ever see much of him. My intimacy was with her.
But I would not wish you to remember what I said just now, if--if--'
'If what, Mrs Finn? You mean perhaps, if I should ever be allowed
to call myself his son-in-law. It may seem to you to be arrogant,
but it is an honour which I expect to win.
Pages:
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320