"
Then she did read the letter, very carefully and very slowly,
weighing every word of it as she read it. Did it mean more than it
said? But though she read it slowly and carefully and was long
before she made him any answer, she had very quickly resolved that
the invitation should be accepted. It would suit her very well to
know Lady Penwether. It might possibly suit her still better to
become intimate with Lord Rufford. She was delighted at the idea of
riding Lord Rufford's horse. As her eyes dwelt on the paper she,
too, began to think that the invitation had been chiefly given on
her account. At any rate she would go. She had understood perfectly
well from the first tone of her lover's voice that he did not wish
to subject her to the allurements of Rufford Hall. She was clever
enough, and could read it all. But she did not mean to throw away a
chance for the sake of pleasing him. She must not at once displease
him by declaring her purpose strongly, and therefore, as she slowly
continued her reading, she resolved that she would throw the burden
upon her mother. "Had I not better show this to mamma?" she said.
"You can if you please. You are going to the Gores on Monday."
"We could not go earlier; but we might put it off for a couple of
days if we pleased. Would it bore you?"
"I don't mind about myself.
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