“I'll send her to you to-morrow, Lady Bassett.”
“No, bring her.”
“Then tell me your hour.”
“Yes, and I will send somebody out of the way. I want you both to myself.”
While this conversation was going on at Huntercombe, Richard Bassett, being left alone with his daughter, proceeded to work with his usual skill upon her young mind.
He reminded her of Mr. Rutland's prospects, and said he hoped to see her a countess, and the loveliest jewel of the Peerage.
He then told her Mr. Rutland was coming to stay a day or two next week, and requested her to receive him graciously.
She promised that at once.
“That,” said he, “will be a much better match for you than the younger son of Sir Charles Bassett. However, my girl is too proud to go into a family where she is not welcome.”
“Much too proud for that,” said Ruperta.