Lady
Ushant was living at the big house, which was henceforth to be her
home. Mary was her visitor, and was to be married from Bragton as
though Bragton were her residence rather than the squire's. The
plan had originated with Reginald, and when it had been hinted to
him that Mary would in this way seem to slight her father's home,
he had proposed that all the Masters should come and stay at
Bragton previous to the ceremony. Mrs. Masters yielded as to Mary's
residence, saying with mock humility that of course she had no room
fit to give a marriage feast to the Squire of Bragton; but she was
steadfast in saying to her husband, who made the proposition to
her, that she would stay at home. Of course she would be present at
the wedding; but she would not trouble the like of Lady Ushant by
any prolonged visiting.
The wedding was to take place about the beginning of May, and all
these things were being considered early in April. At this time one
of the girls was always at Bragton, and Mary had done her best, but
hitherto in vain, to induce her step-mother to come to her. When
she heard that there was a doubt as to the accomplishment of the
plan for the coming of the whole family, she drove herself into
Dillsborough in the old phaeton and then pleaded her cause for
herself. "Mamma," she said, "won't you come with the girls and papa
on the 29th?"
"I think not, my dear.
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