CHAPTER L

Mrs Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing

On that day they dined early at the Small House, as they had been in the habit of doing since the packing had commenced.  And after dinner Mrs Dale went through the gardens, up to the other house, with a written note in her hand.  In that note she had told Lady Julia, with many protestations of gratitude, that Lily was unable to go out so soon after her illness, and that she herself was obliged to stay with Lily.  She explained also, that the business of moving was in hand, and that, therefore, she could not herself accept the invitation.  But her other daughter, she said, would be very happy to accompany her uncle to Guestwick Manor.  Then, without closing her letter, she took it up to the squire in order that it might be decided whether it would or would not suit his views.  It might well be that he would not care to go to Lord De Guest’s with Bell alone.

“Leave it with me,” he said; “that is, if you do not object.”

“Oh dear, no!”

“I’ll tell you the plain truth at once, Mary.  I shall go over myself with it, and see the earl.  Then I will decline it or not, according to what passes between me and him.  I wish Lily would have gone.”

“Ah! she could not.”

“I wish she could.  I wish she could.  I wish she could.”  As he repeated the words over and over again, there was an eagerness in his voice that filled Mrs Dale’s heart with tenderness towards him.

“The truth is,” said Mrs Dale, “she could not go there to meet John Eames.”

“Oh, I know,” said the squire:  “I understand it.  But that is just what we want her to do.  Why should she not spend a week in the same house with an honest young man whom we all like.”

“There are reasons why she would not wish it.”

“Ah, exactly; the very reasons which should make us induce her to go there if we can.  Perhaps I had better tell you all.  Lord De Guest has taken him by the hand, and wishes him to marry.  He has promised to settle on him an income which will make him comfortable for life.”

“That is very generous; and I am delighted to hear it,—­for John’s sake.”

“And they have promoted him at his office.”

“Ah! then he will do well.”

“He will do very well.  He is private secretary now to their head man.  And, Mary, so that she, Lily, should not be empty-handed if their marriage can be arranged, I have undertaken to settle a hundred a year on her,—­on her and her children, if she will accept him.  Now you know it all.  I did not mean to tell you; but it is as well that you should have the means of judging.  That other man was a villain.  This man is honest.  Would it not be well that she should learn to like him?  She always did like him, I thought, before that other fellow came down here among us.”

“She has always liked him—­as a friend.”