CHAPTER XVII.
LORD RUFFORD'S INVITATION.
On that same Wednesday afternoon when Morton returned with the ladies in the carriage he found that a mounted servant had arrived from Rufford Hall with a letter and had been instructed to wait for an answer.

The man was now refreshing himself in the servants' hall.
Morton, when he had read the letter, found that it required some consideration before he could answer it.

It was to the following purport.

Lord Rufford had a party of ladies and gentlemen at Rufford Hall, as his sister, Lady Penwether, was staying with him.

Would Mr.
Morton and his guests come over to Rufford Hall on Monday and stay till Wednesday?
On Tuesday there was to be a dance for the people of the neighbourhood.