It has been said that Mary Sugg regarded matrimony with suspicion, and though Miss Sugg had not the remotest hope of marrying Richard Jeffray herself, she had no liking for his betrothal to Jilian Hardacre. Mary, like all women of sense, was something of a gossip, and it was at Rodenham parsonage that Bess learned at last of Jeffray’s entanglement at Hardacre. Mary was helping Bess to clean the silver and the pewter in the pantry when she let the truth slip casually into the girl’s ears.
Bess started, reddened, and went on polishing Dr. Sugg’s tankard as though the news had no concern for her heart.
“I did not know Mr. Jeffray was to be married,” she said, frowning a little, and staring out of the narrow window.
Miss Sugg, lost in her own reflections for the moment, noticed nothing strained or unnatural in Bess’s manner.
“Yes, I suppose it will soon be quite an old affair,” she said, with a sigh.
“And is Miss Hardacre very handsome?”
“A matter of opinion, my dear.”
“Mr. Jeffray is very much in love with her?”
Miss Sugg’s mouth tightened primly.
“It is not my business,” she said, quietly, “to inquire into the warmth and nature of a gentleman’s affections.”