"How can you tell that?"
"I could swear to her hand among a hundred. Not the penmanship of one woman in a thousand shows such strength of will."
"Can one's writing show one's mind? I should never have thought it. I wonder if 'tis a card for her next assembly. Oh, George, don't be angry! I should like, once in my life, only once, to go to a party."
Her husband sighed as he patted her shoulder, with the gentle touch that only strong men have, and which always soothed her.
"Read your letter," he said; "'tis no card."
She took her scissors from her work-basket and carefully cut round the seal—loth to spoil anything so beautiful, though her heart beat fast with expectation. George read the letter aloud over her shoulder.
"St. James's Square, November 15th.
"DEAR MADAM,
"I hope that neither you nor Mr. Stobart have forgot your polite promise to visit me, and that you will do me the favour of dining with me at four o'clock next Monday, when Lady Margaret Laroche, the Duchess of Portland, Mr. Townshend, and some other of my most agreeable acquaintance, will be good enough to give me their company in the evening. As you live so far off, I shall venture to send my coach to fetch you before dark, and I shall be best pleased if you will spend the night in St. James's Square, and return home at your leisure and convenience on Tuesday. Knowing Mr. Stobart's serious mind, I did not presume to send you a card for my ball last week, as I should be sorry for any invitation of mine to seem an empty compliment.
"Pray persuade your husband, and my cousin by marriage, to gratify me by bidding you write 'Yes,' and believe me, with much respect,
"Your sincere friend and servant,
"ANTONIA KILRUSH."
"Must I say no, George?" Lucy asked, with a quivering lip, ready to burst into tears.
"Nay, child, I made you unhappy t'other day, and was miserable for two days after at the thought I had been a brute. If it would please you to visit her ladyship——"
"Please me! I should feel as if I was flying over the moon."