Lady Lufton had returned
that day, and immediately on her return had sent up a note addressed
to Miss Lucy Robarts, which note was in Fanny's hands when Lucy
stepped out of the pony-carriage. The servant who brought it had
asked for an answer, and a verbal answer had been sent, saying that
Miss Robarts was away from home, and would herself send a reply when
she returned. It cannot be denied that the colour came to Lucy's
face, and that her hand trembled when she took the note from Fanny in
the drawing-room. Everything in the world to her might depend on what
that note contained; and yet she did not open it at once, but stood
with it in her hand, and when Fanny pressed her on the subject, still
endeavoured to bring back the conversation to the subject of Mrs.
Crawley. But yet her mind was intent on the letter, and she had
already augured ill from the handwriting and even from the words of
the address. Had Lady Lufton intended to be propitious, she would
have directed her letter to Miss Robarts, without the Christian name;
so at least argued Lucy--quite unconsciously, as one does argue in
such matters. One forms half the conclusions of one's life without
any distinct knowledge that the premises have even passed through
one's mind. They were now alone together, as Mark was out.
Pages:
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623