‘And I may come and meet you?’ said Bob.
‘There’s my letter—what shall I do about that?’ she said, instead of answering him. ‘Take my letter to the post-office, and you may come,’ she added.
He said yes and went out, Cripplestraw retreating to the door till she should be ready.
‘What letter is it?’ said her mother.
‘Only one to John,’ said Anne. ‘I have asked him to forgive my suspicions. I could do no less.’
‘Do you want to marry him?’ asked Mrs. Loveday bluntly.
‘Mother!’
‘Well; he will take that letter as an encouragement. Can’t you see that he will, you foolish girl?’
Anne did see instantly. ‘Of course!’ she said. ‘Tell Robert that he need not go.’
She went to her room to secure the letter. It was gone from the mantelpiece, and on inquiry it was found that the miller, seeing it there, had sent David with it to Budmouth hours ago. Anne said nothing, and set out for Oxwell Hall with Cripplestraw.