But as they again discussed the matter
that night the opinion gained ground upon them that the Senator had
been an emissary from the enemy.
CHAPTER XVII
Lord Rufford's Invitation
On that same Wednesday afternoon when Morton returned with the
ladies in the carriage he found that a mounted servant had arrived
from Rufford Hall with a letter and had been instructed to wait for
an answer. The man was now refreshing himself in the servants'
hall. Morton, when he had read the letter, found that it required
some consideration before he could answer it. It was to the
following purport. Lord Rufford had a party of ladies and gentlemen
at Rufford Hall, as his sister, Lady Penwether, was staying with
him. Would Mr. Morton and his guests come over to Rufford Hall on
Monday and stay till Wednesday? On Tuesday there was to be a dance
for the people of the neighbourhood. Then he specified, as the
guests invited, Lady Augustus and her daughter and Mr. Gotobed,--
omitting the honourable Mrs. Morton of whose sojourn in the county
he might have been ignorant. His Lordship went on to say that he
trusted the abruptness of the invitation might be excused on
account of the nearness of their neighbourhood and the old
friendship which had existed between their families. He had had, he
said, the pleasure of being acquainted with Lady Augustus and her
daughter in London and would be proud to see Mr.
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