‘Has Miss Weston received the letter she expected?’
‘No,’ said Mrs. Weston, ‘she thinks, as there is no answer, the family must be gone abroad, and very probably they have taken Miss Aylmer with them; but she has written to another friend to ask about them.’
‘From all I hear,’ said Mr. Mohun, ‘I should prefer waiting to hear from her, before we make further inquiries; we shall not be ready before midsummer, as I should wish my eldest daughter to assist me in making this important decision.’
‘In that case,’ said Mrs. Weston, ‘there will be plenty of time to communicate with her. I can see some of the friends of the family when I go to London, for we must not leave Mr. Weston in solitude another spring.’
‘Perhaps I shall see you there,’ said Mr. Mohun. ‘I have some business in London, and I think I shall meet the Hawkesworths there in May or June.’
After a little more conversation Mr. Mohun took his leave, and as soon as he had ridden on, Marianne said, ‘Oh! mamma, I could not help hearing.’
‘My dear,’ said Mrs. Weston, ‘I know you may be trusted; but I should not have told you, as you may find such a secret embarrassing when you are with your young friends.’
‘And so they are to have a governess?’
‘Yes; and we are trying to find Miss Aylmer for them.’
‘Miss Aylmer! I am glad of it; how much Phyllis and Ada will like her!’