’Yes, Mary.  What answer to you think I ought to give?  I wish to ask you the question, as you are the person the most concerned.’

Mary considered for a while, then did give her opinion on the matter in a firm voice.  ’I think you should tell Beatrice, that as you cannot at present receive me cordially in your house, it will be better that you should not be called upon to receive me at all.’

This was certainly not the sort of answer that Lady Arabella expected, and she was now somewhat astounded in her turn.  ‘But, Mary,’ she said, ‘I should be delighted to receive you cordially if I could do so.’

’But it seems you cannot, Lady Arabella; and so there must be an end of it.’

‘Oh, but I do not know that:’  and she smiled her sweetest smile.  ’I do not know that.  I want to put an end to all this ill-feeling, if I can.  It all depends upon one thing, you know.’

‘Does it, Lady Arabella?’

’Yes, upon one thing.  You won’t be angry if I ask you another question—­eh, Mary?’

‘No; at least I don’t think I will.’

‘Is there any truth in what we hear about your being engaged to Frank?’

Mary made no immediate answer to this; but sat quite silent, looking at Lady Arabella in the face; not but that she had made up her mind as to what answer she would give, but the exact words failed her at the moment.

‘Of course you must have heard of such a rumour.’

‘Oh, yes, I have heard of it.’

’Yes, and you have noticed it, and I must say very properly.  When you went to Boxall Hill, and before that with Miss Oriel’s to her aunt’s, I thought you behaved extremely well.’  Mary felt herself glow with indignation, and began to prepare the words that should be sharp and decisive.  ’But, nevertheless, people talk; and Frank, who is still quite a boy’ (Mary’s indignation was not softened by this allusion to Frank’s folly), ’seems to have got some nonsense in his head.  I grieve to say it, but I feel myself in justice bound to do so, that in this matter he has not acted as well as you have done.  Now, therefore, I merely ask you whether there is any truth in the report.  If you tell me that there is none, I shall be quite contented.’

‘But it is altogether true, Lady Arabella; I am engaged to him.’

‘Engaged to be married to him?’

‘Yes; engaged to be married to him.’

What was to say or do now?  Nothing could be more plain, more decided, or less embarrassed with doubt than Mary’s declaration.  And as she made it she looked her visitor full in the face, blushing indeed, for her cheeks were now suffused as well as her forehead; but boldly, and, as it were, with defiance.

‘And you tell me that to my face, Miss Thorne?’

’And why not?  Did you not ask me the question; and would you have my answer you with a falsehood?  I am engaged to him.  As you would put the question to me, what other could I make?  The truth is, I am engaged to him.’