"Bring her too, by all means—if you'll condescend, I am sure," Mrs.
Cavely said to Mary.
"I am much obliged to you; I do not dine out at present," said the London lady.
"Dear me! are you ill?"
"No."
"Nothing in the family, I hope?"
"My family?"
"I am sure, I beg pardon," said Mrs. Cavely, bridling with a spite pardonable by the severest moralist.
"Can I speak to you alone?" she addressed Annette.
Miss Fellingham rose.
Mrs. Cavely confronted her. "I can't allow it; I can't think of it. I'm only taking a little liberty with one I may call my future sister-in- law."