"Of course. The high sheriff could not give a dinner party without his chaplain at hand to say grace," returned Mary, laughing.
William came back: and they all remained for almost the rest of the afternoon, Jane regaling them with tea. It was scarcely over when Mr. Gurney drove up in his carriage: a large, open carriage, the groom's seat behind, the horses very fine ones. He came in for a few minutes; a very pleasant man of nearly forty years; a handsome man also. Then he took possession of Anna, carefully assisted her up, took the seat beside her, and the reins, and drove off.
William started for the Hall with Mary, walking at a brisk pace. It was not ten minutes' distance, but the evening was getting on. Henry Ashley met them as they entered, and began upon them in his crossest tones.
"Now what have you two got to say for yourselves? Here, I expect you, Mr. William, to pass the afternoon with me: the mother expects Mary: and nothing arrives but a milliner's box! And you make your appearance when it's pretty nearly time to go up to embellish!"
"We stayed at the Vicarage, Henry; and I don't think mamma could want me. Anna Gurney was there."
"Rubbish! Who's Anna Gurney that she should upset things? I wanted William, and that's enough. Do you think you are to monopolize him, Mrs. Mary, just because you happen to have married him?"
Mary went behind her brother, and playfully put her arms round his neck. "I will lend him to you now and then, if you are good," she whispered.
"You idle, inattentive girl! The mother wanted you to cut some hot-house flowers for the dinner-table."
"Did she? I will do it now."
"Listen to her! Do it now! when it has been done this hour past. William, I don't intend to show up to-night."