In the
first three weeks nothing was said; but four or five days before
Mary's departure there came up a conversation about Dillsborough
and Bragton. There had been many conversations about Dillsborough
and Bragton, but in all of them the name of Lawrence Twentyman had
been scrupulously avoided. Each had longed to name him, and yet
each had determined not to do so. But at length it was avoided no
longer. Lady Ushant had spoken of Chowton Farm and the widow. Then
Mary had spoken of the place and its inhabitants. "Mr. Twentyman
comes a great deal to our house now," she said.
"Has he any reason, my dear?"
"He goes with papa once a week to the club; and he sometimes lends
my sister Kate a pony. Kate is very fond of riding."
"There is nothing else?"
"He has got to be intimate and I think mamma likes him."
"He is a good young man then?"
"Very good," said Mary with an emphasis.
"And Chowton belongs to him."
"Oh yes;--it belongs to him."
"Some young men make such ducks and drakes of their property when
they get it"
"They say that he's not like that at all. People say that he
understands farming very well and that he minds everything
himself."
"What an excellent young man! There is no other reason for his
coming to your house, Mary?" Then the sluice-gates were opened and
the whole story was told.
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