Mary has been looking about the house
and learning her duty already. She'll be able to have every
bedstead and every chair by heart, which is an advantage ladies
seldom possess. Then Mary rushed forward and was received into the
old woman's arms.
When Reginald left them, which he did very soon after the
announcement was made, Lady Ushant had a great deal to say. "I have
been thinking of it, my dear,--oh,--for years;--ever since he came
to Hoppet Hall. But I am sure the best way is never to say
anything. If I had interfered there is no knowing how it might have
been."
"Then, dear Lady Ushant, I am so glad you didn't," said Mary,--
being tolerably sure at the same time within her own bosom that her
loving old friend could have done no harm in that direction. "I
wouldn't say a word though I was always thinking of it. But then he
is so odd, and no one can know what he means sometimes. That's what
made me think when Mr. Twentyman was so very pressing--"
"That couldn't--couldn't have been possible."
"Poor young man!"
"But I always told him it was impossible."
"I wonder whether you cared about Reginald all that time." In
answer to this Mary only hid her face in the old woman's lap. "Dear
me! I suppose you did all along. But I am sure it was better not to
say anything, and now what will your papa and mamma say?"
"They'll hardly believe it at first"
"I hope they'll be glad.
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