He therefore directed that the man might be kept waiting while he consulted the lady of his choice.

It was with difficulty that he found himself alone with her,--and then only by sending her maid in quest of her.

He did get her at last into his own sitting-room and then, having placed her in a chair near the fire, gave her Lord Rufford's letter to read.

"What can it be," said she looking up into his face with her great inexpressive eyes, "that has required all this solemnity ?" She still looked up at him and did not even open the letter.
"I did not like to answer that without showing it to you.

I don't suppose you would care to go." "Go where ?" "It is from Lord Rufford,--for Monday." "From Lord Rufford!" "It would break up all your plans and your mother's, and would probably be a great bore." Then she did read the letter, very carefully and very slowly, weighing every word of it as she read it.