“What are you afraid of, my dear?”
“Nothing. But, oh, papa, if I might only remain at home!”
“Jennie, dear, would you disoblige a man who is about to confer a great benefit upon you?”
“Not for the world, papa. I will go if you think my failure to do so would displease Mr. Hay.”
“I do not think it would ‘displease’ him in the sense of angering him, my dear; for, by Longman’s account, he is one of the most amiable and considerate of men; but I do think, from the tone of his note, that it would disappoint him, for evidently he has a very strong motive for wanting our presence at Haymore.”
“Then certainly I will go. But have you any idea, papa, what that motive can be?”
“I think I have, my dear. You know that he who is now in possession is the rightful squire. But surely you have not forgotten that the fraudulent claimant has been daily expected for a week past.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Hetty and Jennie in a breath.
“Well, he is certainly on his way to the Hall this afternoon, and without a suspicion that the rightful owner of Haymore is in possession.”
“Oh, Jim!”