|Next day a letter was forwarded to Emmeline from Brackley.
It was from Lady Thicknesse, of Belgrave Square, of whom mention has been previously made. Lady Thicknesse, it may be stated, was a sister of Lady Barfleur, though several years her junior, and, consequently, aunt to Emmeline.
The letter, which had an enormous black border, and was sealed with black wax, was to the following effect:
“It will give me great pleasure, my dearest niece, if you will come and spend a few weeks with me in Belgrave Square—quite quietly, of course. I think the change will do you good, and I shall be very glad of your society, for I have been rather triste of late. Poor Sir Leycester's death affected me a great deal. I don't ask my sister to accompany you, for I know she won't stir from Brackley, but I shall be very glad if you will bring with you your friend, Mildred Calverley. I remember her as a very charming girl, and know you are much attached to her. She must not expect any gaiety. You will be as quiet here as you are in the country. Adieu, dearest Emmeline! Come as soon as you can, and don't fail to bring Mildred with you. I write separately to your mamma.”
Emmeline was in Mildred's room when Lady Thicknesse's letter was delivered to her. She read it aloud to her friend, and, on finishing it, exclaimed:
“Now, Mildred, what do you say? Will you go to town with me? I am sure my aunt, Lady Thicknesse, will be very glad to see you, and she is most agreeable and kind-hearted—but I needn't describe her, since you have seen her.”
“Yes; I know her slightly, and am persuaded I shall like her much when I know her better.”
“Then you will go?”
“Certainly, since you wish me to accompany you. I confess I don't feel happy here just now. It will be an escape.”
“Mrs. Calverley won't object, I suppose?”
“On the contrary,” replied Mildred, with a singular smile. “I think she will be glad to get rid of me for a time.”
“I'm sure there will be no difficulty on mamma's part,” observed Emmeline. “Why, here is a note from her that I have not read! As I expected!” she cried. “She urges me to accept the invitation, and hopes you will accompany me. Let us go downstairs, and settle the matter at once.”
They found Mrs. Calverley seated with Captain Danvers in the drawing-room, engaged in a very interesting tête-à-tête, and the discovery increased Mildred's desire to be gone.
The captain rose, and bowed to her, and she made him a very freezing salute in return. It appeared that he had brought the letters from Brackley, and, having heard of the invitation from Lady Barfleur, had mentioned it to Mrs. Calverley, so that she was fully prepared.
“I know what you are come to tell me,” she said. “Captain Danvers has already informed me of Lady Thicknesse's invitation, and I sincerely hope you intend to accept it.”
“Since the plan is agreeable to you, we shall do so,” replied Emmeline.
“And we propose to go soon,” said Mildred.
“As soon as you please, my love,” said Mrs. Calverley, smiling. “I won't delay you. You can set out to-morrow, if your preparations can be made in time.”
“We have very few preparations to make,” remarked Emmeline. “We are not going to any parties. I will write to Lady Thicknesse to prepare her for our arrival to-morrow evening.”
“You will want some one to take charge of you,” observed Mrs. Calverley. “You can't travel alone.”
Captain Danvers was about to offer himself, but a look from Mrs. Calverley checked him.
“Chetwynd will take charge of them,” she said.
This proposition was very agreeable to the two young ladies, and when Chetwynd made his appearance a few minutes afterwards, he readily agreed to it.
So the matter was settled.
Later on, Emmeline and Mildred went to Brackley, in order to spend the evening with Lady Barfleur. Captain Danvers remained to dine with Mrs. Calverley—so they saw nothing of him.
Next morning, Chetwynd came over, fully prepared for the journey; and Mrs. Calverley was with him, wishing to see them off.
With praiseworthy punctuality, all the boxes and portmanteaux were ready at the appointed time, having been packed by the young ladies themselves, as they did not mean to take a lady's-maid with them.
Lady Barfleur took leave of her daughter in private, and bedewed her cheek with tears when she embraced her at parting; but not many tears were shed on either side when Mildred bade her step-mother adieu.
Captain Danvers offered his hand to the offended damsel as she stepped into the carriage, but she declined the assistance.
Accompanied by Chetwynd, the two girls drove in the large, old-fashioned carriage to Chester, whence they proceeded by rail to London, arriving at Kensington about six o'clock.
Having conducted them to Lady Thicknesse's residence in Belgrave Square, Chetwynd took leave, promising to call on the morrow.
He then drove to the Grosvenor Hotel, where he engaged a room, and ordered dinner.