But, even were it to be so,
and should there be reason for him to be gratified at the escape,
still he did not relish the idea of taking the girl himself to the
other man's house. He wrote the letter, however, and dispatched it.
But even the writing of it was difficult and disagreeable. When
various details of hospitality have been offered by a comparative
stranger a man hardly likes to accept them all. But in this case he
had to do it. He would be delighted, he said, to stay at Rufford
Hall from the Monday to the Wednesday;--Lady Augustus and Miss
Trefoil would also be delighted; and so also would Mr. Gotobed be
delighted. And Miss Trefoil would be further delighted to accept
Lord Rufford's offer of a horse for the Tuesday. As for himself, if
he rode at all, a horse would come for him to the meet. Then he
wrote another note to Mr. Harry Stubbings, bespeaking a mount for
the occasion.
On that evening the party at Bragton was not a very pleasant one.
"No doubt you are intimate with Lady Penwether, Lady Augustus,"
said Mrs. Morton. Now Lady Penwether was a very fashionable woman
whom to know was considered an honour.
"What makes you ask, ma'am?" said Lady Augustus.
"Only as you were taking your daughter to her brother's house, and
as he is a bachelor."
"My dear Mrs. Morton, really you may leave me to take care of
myself and of my daughter too.
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