“I am sorry – very sorry – but I am sure Jeremy – will not be long.”
Because she felt how embarrassing it was that her brother should have imposed on the Earl in such an inconsiderate manner, she did not look at him but down at the note she held in her hand.
To her surprise she saw that it was addressed in Jeremy’s handwriting.
She thought perhaps it was to explain where he had gone and how long he would be away.
Feeling angry that he should be so inconsiderate, she opened the letter quickly and found that it contained two pages.
It began,
“Dearest Mariota,
When you receive this I shall be married and I suppose you will have to apologise to his Lordship that I have taken his phaeton and will be unable to return it for sometime – ”
Mariota gave a little gasp and then read on,
“I fe
