To which, in the Vicar's handwriting, was added the word, "Never!"
It was two days before she showed this letter to her aunt—two days in which she had thought much upon the subject. She knew well that her aunt would counsel her to go to Bullhampton, and, therefore, she would not mention the letter till she had made up her own mind.
"What will you do?" said her aunt.
"I will go, if you do not object."
"I certainly shall not object," said Miss Marrable.
Then Mary wrote a very short letter to her friend, which may as well, also, be communicated to the reader:—
Loring, Thursday.
Dear Janet,
I will go to you about the end of May; and yet, though I have made up my mind to do so, I almost doubt that I am not wise. If one could only ordain that things should be as though they had never been! That, however, is impossible, and one can only endeavour to live so as to come as nearly as possible to such a state. I know that I am confused; but I think you will understand what I mean.
I intend to be very full of energy about the chapel, and I do hope that your brother-in-law will be able to prove that Lord Trowbridge has been misbehaving himself. I never loved Mr. Puddleham, who always seemed to look upon me with wrath because I belonged to the Vicarage; and I certainly should take delight in seeing him banished from the Vicarage gate.
Always affectionately yours,
Mary Lowther.