'I suppose we shall stay at Matching till Christmas,' he said.
'I hope so.'
'Whom would you like to have here?'
'I don't want anyone, papa.'
'You will be very sad without somebody. Would you like the Finns?'
'If you please, papa. I like her. He never talks anything but
politics.'
'He is none the worse for that, Mary. I wonder whether Lady Mabel
Grex would come.'
'Lady Mabel Grex!'
'Do you not like her?'
'Oh yes;--but what made you think of her, papa?'
'Perhaps Silverbridge would come to us then.'
Lady Mary thought that she knew a great deal more about that than
her father did. 'Is he fond of Lady Mabel, papa?'
'Well,--I don't know. There are secrets which should not be told. I
think they are very good friends. I would not have her asked
unless it would please you.'
'I like her very much, papa.'
'And perhaps we might get the Boncassens to come to us. I did say
a word to him about it.' Now, as Mary felt, difficulty was
heaping itself upon difficulty. 'I have seldom met a man in whose
company I could take more pleasure than in that Mr Boncassen; and
the young lady seems to be worthy of her father.
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