Conway and Ralph in the
face again! Beside, how could we speak to people one believes to have
done such a wicked thing?"
"Very well, Mabel. I was quite sure that you would agree with us, but
at the same time I thought it was right before we refused the offer
you should know that it was made. Whatever our sentiments on the
subject might be, we should not have been justified in refusing
without your knowledge an offer that might, from a worldly point of
view, be your interest to accept."
"Why, papa," Mabel said, "I would rather go out and weed turnips or
watch sheep, like some of the girls in the village, than touch a penny
of the Miss Penfolds' money."
A short time after this Mr. Tallboys' clerk brought a letter into his
private office.
"A lady asked me to give you this, sir." The solicitor opened it. It
contained only a card.
"Show the lady in. How are you, madam? I am glad to have the pleasure
of making your acquaintance. I suppose you are staying with Mr.
Withers?"
"No, Mr. Tallboys, I am at the hotel here. I only arrived an hour
since by the packet from Dover."
"Dear me. I am afraid you have had a very unpleasant voyage."
"It has not been pleasant," Mrs. Conway said quietly. "But I preferred
it to the long journey by coach up to London, and down here again. We
were five days on the way, as the vessel put in at so many ports.
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