"What,—here, in London? I am not quite sure that she wishes to come up to London at present."
"I have never understood that she had any objection to being in town," said Lady Ongar.
"Not formerly, certainly; but now, since her boy's death—"
"Why should his death make more difference to her than to you?" To this question Sir Hugh made no reply. "If you are thinking of society, she could be nowhere safer from any such necessity than with me. I never go out anywhere. I have never dined out, or even spent an evening in company since Lord Ongar's death. And no one would come here to disturb her."
"I didn't mean that."
"I don't quite know what you did mean. From different causes she and I are left pretty nearly equally without friends."
"Hermione is not left without friends," said Sir Hugh with a tone of offence.
"Were she not, she would not want to come to me. Your society is in London, to which she does not come, or in other country-houses than your own, to which she is not taken. She lives altogether at Clavering, and there is no one there, except your uncle."
"Whatever neighbourhood there is she has,—just like other women."
"Just like some other women, no doubt. I shall remain in town for another month, and after that I shall go somewhere; I don't much care where. If Hermy will come to me as my guest I shall be most happy to have her. And the longer she will stay with me the better. Your coming home need make no difference, I suppose."