Away the lady ran up stairs, and down again, with the letter in her hand.
“Yes! exactly as I thought,” cried she; “my aunt does say, that Mrs. Hungerford is to be down to-day—I thought so.”
“Very likely,” said Lady Anne; “I never thought about it.”
“But, Anne, you must think about it, for my aunt desires we should go and see her directly.”
“I can’t go,” said Lady Anne—“I’ve a cold—your going will do.”
“Mrs. Falconer, my dear Mrs. Falconer, will you go with me to-morrow to Hungerford Castle?” cried Lady Frances, eagerly.
“Impossible! my dear Lady Frances, unfortunately quite impossible. The Hungerfords and we have no connexion—there was an old family quarrel—”
“Oh! never mind family quarrels and connexions—you can go, and I am sure it will be taken very well—and you know you only go with me. Oh! positively you must—now there’s my good dear Mrs. Falconer—yes, and order the carriage this minute for to-morrow early,” said Lady Frances, in a coaxing yet impatient tone.
Mrs. Falconer adhered to its being absolutely impossible.
“Then, Anne, you must go.”