Mrs Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing
On that day they dined early at the Small House, as
they had been in the habit of doing since the packing
had commenced. And after dinner Mrs Dale went
through the gardens, up to the other house, with a
written note in her hand. In that note she had
told Lady Julia, with many protestations of gratitude,
that Lily was unable to go out so soon after her illness,
and that she herself was obliged to stay with Lily.
She explained also, that the business of moving was
in hand, and that, therefore, she could not herself
accept the invitation. But her other daughter,
she said, would be very happy to accompany her uncle
to Guestwick Manor. Then, without closing her
letter, she took it up to the squire in order that
it might be decided whether it would or would not
suit his views. It might well be that he would
not care to go to Lord De Guest’s with Bell
alone.
“Leave it with me,” he said; “that
is, if you do not object.”
“Oh dear, no!”
“I’ll tell you the plain truth at once,
Mary. I shall go over myself with it, and see
the earl. Then I will decline it or not, according
to what passes between me and him. I wish Lily
would have gone.”
“Ah! she could not.”
“I wish she could. I wish she could.
I wish she could.” As he repeated the words
over and over again, there was an eagerness in his
voice that filled Mrs Dale’s heart with tenderness
towards him.
“The truth is,” said Mrs Dale, “she
could not go there to meet John Eames.”
“Oh, I know,” said the squire: “I
understand it. But that is just what we want
her to do. Why should she not spend a week in
the same house with an honest young man whom we all
like.”
“There are reasons why she would not wish it.”
“Ah, exactly; the very reasons which should
make us induce her to go there if we can. Perhaps
I had better tell you all. Lord De Guest has
taken him by the hand, and wishes him to marry.
He has promised to settle on him an income which will
make him comfortable for life.”
“That is very generous; and I am delighted to
hear it,—for John’s sake.”
“And they have promoted him at his office.”
“Ah! then he will do well.”
“He will do very well. He is private secretary
now to their head man. And, Mary, so that she,
Lily, should not be empty-handed if their marriage
can be arranged, I have undertaken to settle a hundred
a year on her,—on her and her children,
if she will accept him. Now you know it all.
I did not mean to tell you; but it is as well that
you should have the means of judging. That other
man was a villain. This man is honest. Would
it not be well that she should learn to like him?
She always did like him, I thought, before that other
fellow came down here among us.”
“She has always liked him—as a friend.”
