‘I thought so! He won’t have it.’
Honor durst not ask the grounds of this prediction, and the rest of that family were discussed. It was embarrassing to be asked about the reports of last winter, and Lucy’s keen penetration soon led to full confidence.
‘Ah! I was sure that a great flood had passed over that poor child! I was desperate when I wrote to Phœbe, for it seemed incredible that it should be either of the others, but I might have trusted her. I wonder what will become of her. I have not yet seen the man good enough for her.’
‘I have seen one—and so have you—but I could not have spared him to her, even if she had been in his time.’
Truly Lucilla was taken home when Honor was moved to speak thus.
For her sake Honor had regretted that the return dinner to the Albury-street household and the brothers was for this day, but she revived towards evening, and joined the party, looking far less pretty and piquante, and her dress so quiet as to be only just appropriate, but still a fair bright object, and fitting so naturally into her old place, that Lady Bannerman was scandalized at her presumption and Miss Charlecote’s weakness. Honor and Phœbe both watched the greeting between her and Robert, but could infer nothing, either from it or from their
deportment at dinner, both were so entirely unembarrassed and easy. Afterwards Robert sought out Phœbe, and beguiled her into the window where his affairs had so often been canvassed.
‘Phœbe,’ he said, ‘I must do what I fear will distress you, and I want to prepare you.’
Was it coming? But how could he have guessed that she had rather not?
‘I feel deeply your present homeless condition. I wish earnestly that I could make a home for you. But, Phœbe, once you told me you were content to be sacrificed to my foremost duty—’