When Rose Fletcher had been asked whether she preferred riding, or a place in the carriage, she at once declared that she liked riding above every thing; but that her habit was at the bottom of the large trunk, which had gone on to London. This was not allowed to be a difficulty, as Mary’s habit was found to fit her sufficiently well to serve for the occasion. Rose and Anna were therefore to ride with Mr. Byerley and either Mr. Fletcher or Signor Elvi, as those gentlemen should determine between themselves.
“Well, Mary,” said Anna, as she shut the door of her chamber.
“Well, Anna,” said her sister, as she put down the candle on the dressing-table.
“What a pleasant day we have had!” exclaimed the one.
“How unlike one another people are, to be sure!” observed the other.
“Mr. Fletcher and the Signor, for instance. I can’t endure Mr. Fletcher.”
“Why not?” said Mary, surprised: “he is silent sometimes, certainly; but when he does talk, he says such very clever things, that they are worth waiting for. Do you know, I am not sure but that I like him better than Mrs. Fletcher.”
“Oh, Mary! impossible! She is such a dear, kind lady; and he is so cross, I dare not speak to him.”
“Indeed!” said Mary; “then you must have heard or seen something that I did not.”
“Nay, Mary; I heard him tell you that he gave it in charge to you to cure Selina of her way of speaking.”