"Your father can only be anxious for your happiness."
"Therefore I must be anxious for his. I can't say that I'll go without asking him."
"Then ask him and come in and see me at Alice's house this afternoon. And tell your father that I say you shall be received with all affection."
Mary made no promise that she would do even this as Lady Sarah took her leave; but she did at once consult her father. "Of course you can go if you like it, dearest."
"But you!"
"Never mind me. I am thinking only of you. They will be different to you now that they think you will be the mother of the heir."
"Would you take me, and stay there, for one night?"
"I don't think I could do that, dear. I do not consider that I have been exactly asked."
"But if they will ask you?"
"I cannot ask to be asked. To tell the truth I am not at all anxious to be entertained at Manor Cross. They would always be thinking of that fireplace into which the Marquis fell."