No--no--_no!_--a thousand times, no! Not though her mother
implored her, and every creature in Cumbria and the universe thought her
stark staring mad. No!--for her own sake first; but, above all, for Lord
Tatham's sake.
Whereat she repentantly reminded herself that after all, if she despised
the world and the flesh, there was no need to give herself airs; for
certainly Harry Tatham was giving proof--stronger proof indeed, of doing
the same; if it were really his intention to offer his handsome person,
and his no less handsome possessions to a girl as insignificant as
herself. Custom had not staled _him_. And there was his mother too; who,
instead of nipping the silly business in the bud, and carrying the
foolish young man to London, was actually aiding and abetting--sending
gracious invitations to dinner, of the most unnecessary description.
What indeed could be more detached, more romantic--apparently--than
the attitude of both Tatham and his mother toward their own immense
advantages?
Yes. But they were born to them; they had had time to get used to them.
"It would take me half a lifetime to find out what they mean, and another
half to discover what to do with them."
"And, if one takes the place, ought one not to earn the wages? Lady
Tatham sits loose to all her social duties, scorns frocks, won't call,
cuts bazaars, has never been known to take the chair at a meeting. But I
should call that shirking. Either refuse the game; or play it! And of all
the games in the world, surely, surely the Lady Bountiful game is the
dullest! I _won't_ be bored with it!"
She went toward the house, her smiling eyes on the grass.
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