When she told me that her circumstances and yours were not in a
pecuniary point of view so comfortable as they might be, I did feel
that it was in my power to alleviate that trouble. The sum of money
mentioned by my lawyer was certainly named by your mother. At any
rate pray believe that I meant to be of service.
As to naming a place where we might meet, it really could be of no
service. It would be painful to both of us and could have no good
result. Again apologizing for having inadvertently offended you by
adopting the views which Lady Augustus entertained, I beg to assure
you that I am,
Yours faithfully,
Rufford.
This letter came from the peer himself, without assistance. After
his interview with Lady Augustus he simply told his Mentor, Sir
George, that he had steadfastly denied the existence of any
engagement, not daring to acquaint him with the offer he had made.
Neither, therefore, could he tell Sir George of the manner in which
the young lady had repudiated the offer. That she should have
repudiated it was no doubt to her credit. As he thought of it
afterwards he felt that had she accepted it she would have been
base indeed. And. yet, as he thought of what had taken place at the
house in Piccadilly, he was confident that the proposition had in
some way come from her mother.
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