‘Surely no harm in that.’
‘But do you know that she—have you heard—?’
‘Yes, I know. She has accepted an offer of marriage. It was because I heard of it that I came to you. You are her nearest friend; you can speak to her as others would not venture to. I ask only for five minutes. I entreat her to grant me that.’
To add to her perturbation, Letty was in dread of hearing Alfred’s ring at the door; she durst not prolong this interview.
‘I will tell her,’ she said. ‘If I can, I will see her to-night.’
‘And how can I hear the result? I am afraid to ask you—if you would write one line to me at Agworth? I am staying at my mother’s house.’
He mentioned the address. Letty, who felt herself caught up above the world of common experiences and usages, gave her promise as a matter of course.
‘I shall not try to thank you,’ Hubert said. ‘But you will not doubt that I am grateful?’
Letty said no more, and it was with profound relief that she heard the door close behind her visitor. But even yet the danger was not past; Alfred might at this moment be approaching, so as to meet Hubert near the house. And indeed this all but happened, for Mr. Waltham presented himself very soon. Letty had had time to impose secrecy on her sisters, such an extraordinary proceeding on her part that they were awed, and made faithful promise of discretion.
Letty drew her lover into the fireless room; she had blown out the candles and turned the lamp low again, fearful lest her face should display signs calling for comment.