If he did this surely then he would forgive her for having left him at the bridge.

She had much to think of before she could resolve how she should tell her tidings.

Should she show the letter first to her stepmother or to her father?
In the ordinary course of things in that house the former course would be expected.
It was Mrs.Masters who managed everything affecting the family.
It was she who gave permission or denied permission for every indulgence.

She was generally fair to the three girls, taking special pride to herself for doing her duty by her stepdaughter;--but on this very account she was the more likely to be angry if Mary passed her by on such an occasion as this and went to her father.

But should her stepmother have once refused her permission, then the matter would have been decided against her.