But her thoughts strayed perpetually.
So her mother imagined that Lord Tatham had only danced once with her at
the Hunt Ball? As a matter of fact, he had danced with her once, and
then, as dancing was by no means the youth's strong point, they had sat
out in a corner of the hotel garden, by the river, through four supper
dances. And if the fact had escaped the notice both of Mrs. Penfold and
Susy, greatly to Lydia's satisfaction, she was well aware that it had not
altogether escaped the notice of the neighbourhood, which kept an eager
watch on the doings of its local princeling in matters matrimonial.
And as to the various meetings at the rectory, Lydia could easily have
made much of them, if she had wished. She had come to see that they were
deliberately sought by Lord Tatham, and encouraged by Mrs. Deacon. And
because she had come to see it, she meant to refuse another invitation
from Mrs. Deacon, which was in her pocket--without consulting her mother.
Besides--said youthful pride--if Lord Tatham really wished to know them,
Lady Tatham must call. And Lady Tatham had not called.
Her mother was quite right. The marriage of young earls are, generally
speaking, "arranged," and there are hovering relations, and unwritten
laws in the background, which only the foolish forget. "And as I am not a
candidate for the place," thought Lydia, "I won't be misunderstood!"
She did not intend indeed to be troubled--for the present--with such
matters at all.
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