Mrs. Bassett sighed, and said that was too blessed a thing ever to happen.
“Why not?” said Ruperta.
“How could it,” said Mrs. Bassett, “with everybody against it but poor little me!”
“Compton assures me that Lady Bassett wishes it.”
“Indeed! But Sir Charles and papa, Ruperta?”
“Oh, Compton must talk Sir Charles over, and I will persuade papa. I'll begin this evening, when he comes home from London.”
Accordingly, as he was sitting alone in the dining-room sipping his glass of port, Ruperta slipped away from her mother's side and found him.
His face brightened at the sight of her; for he was extremely fond and proud of this girl, for whom he would not have the bells rung when she was born.
She came and hung round his neck a little, and kissed him, and said softly, “Dear papa, I have something to tell you. I have had a proposal.”
Richard Bassett stared.