There is much to do.
You will get a note from Lady Tatham to-night."
She looked up startled. And then it came over her, that he had never
really told her what he meant to do with Melrose's money. She had no
precise idea. Their minds jumped together, and she saw the first laugh in
his dark eyes.
"I shan't tell you! Beloved--be good and wait! But you guess already. We
meet to-morrow--at Duddon."
She asked no question. The thin mystery--for her thoughts did indeed
drive through it--pleased her; especially because it seemed to please
him.
Then Mrs. Penfold and Susy were brought down, and Mrs. Penfold sat amid
explanations and embraces, more feather-headed and inconsequent even than
usual, but happy, because Lydia caressed her, and this handsome though
pale young man on the hearthrug kissed her hand and even, at command, her
still pink cheek; and it seemed there was to be a marriage--only not the
marriage there should have been--a substitution, clearly, of Threlfall
for Duddon? Lydia would live at Threlfall; would be immensely rich; and
there would be no more bloodhounds in the park.
But when Faversham was gone, and realities began to sink into the little
lady's mind, as Lydia sitting at her feet, and holding her hand, tried to
infuse them, dejection followed. No coronet!--and now, no fortune! She
did not understand these high-stepping morals, and she went sadly to bed;
though never had Lydia been so sweet to her, so ready to brush her hair
by the fire as long as ever she chose, so full of daughterly promises.
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