“Provided the brother-in-law approved, which, in his place, I wouldn’t,” observed Arthur, in an aside.
“But as things are, why, five, ten years hence even, you could not keep house without a chaperone,” said Mr Auriol in conclusion, as if the matter were not open to a question.
A very short time before he left, Godfrey told them what he proposed as to their future home.
“I have a letter I should like to read to you,” he said to Lettice. His tone and manner seemed to her exceedingly cold; the truth was that he was most uncomfortably constrained.
“Certainly,” she replied. “Do you wish me to call Nina?”
“Perhaps it would be as well,” said Mr Auriol.
And when Nina came he read to them the description that had been sent to him of a small house a few hours’ distance from town, which seemed to him just what was wanted.
“The neighbourhood is very pretty, and there is an excellent school for Auriol, in the small town of Garford, at half-an-hour’s distance. And there are some nice families in the neighbourhood to whom I—to whom introductions could easily be got.”
“In our deep mourning,” said Lettice icily, “nothing of that kind need be taken into consideration. Besides,” she added, “if you think us so exceedingly childish and unreasonable, I should say the fewer acquaintances we make the better.”
“Lettice, oh, please don’t,” said Nina imploringly.