“I suppose it wouldn’t do,” she said, “for me to go off to bed without seeing them.”
“I think you had better see my mother,” he replied, “else you will feel awkward in the morning.”
Then she opened the door for herself, and with frightened feet crept back to the drawing-room. She could hardly bring herself to open the second door; but when she had done so, her heart was greatly released, as, looking in, she saw that her aunt was the only person there.
“Well, Margaret,” said the old lady, walking up to her; “well?”
“Dear aunt, I don’t know what I am to say to you. I don’t know what you want.”
“I want you to tell me you have consented to become John’s wife.”
“But I have not consented. Think how sudden it has been, aunt!”
“Yes, yes; I can understand that. You could not tell him at once
