But she cried bitterly, and said she would throw herself into the sea and follow her husband.
Huntercombe was nowhere near the coast.
At last, however, she relented, and concluded to remain on earth as dry-nurse to Mr. Bassett.
Sir Charles did not approve this: it seemed unreasonable to turn a wet-nurse into a dry-nurse when that office was already occupied by a person her senior and more experienced.
Lady Bassett agreed with him, but shrugged her shoulders and said, “Two nurses will not hurt, and I suspect it will not be for long. Mary does not feel her husband's loss one bit.”
“Surely you are mistaken. She howls loud enough.”
“Too loud—much,” said Lady Bassett, dryly.
Her perspicuity was not deceived. In a very short time Mr. Meyrick, unable to get her for his housekeeper, offered her marriage.
“What!” said she, “and James Gosport not dead a month?”
“Say the word now, and take your own time,” said he.