Anna laughed. “She had it taken in Bath, and sent it to William. He had only asked her for it in joke.”
“So those studs have never turned up, Anna?”
“No. I wish they would. I should pray night and morning for it, if I thought it would do no one an injury.”
“Johnny!” called out Sir John.
“Yes, sir.”
“Come you, and take my hand for five minutes. I have just remembered a note I ought to have written this afternoon.”
“I shall be sure to play badly,” I said to Lady Whitney, who had fallen to Sir John in cutting for partners.
“Oh, my dear, what does it matter?” she kindly answered. “I don’t mind if you do. I do not play well myself.”
The next morning Miss Cattledon went out to ten-o’clock daily service. Miss Deveen said she had taken to the habit of doing so. I wondered whether it was for the sake of religion, or for that grey-haired curate who did the prayers. Sitting by ourselves, I told Miss Deveen of the commission I had from Mrs. Todhetley; and somehow, without my intending it, she gathered a little more.