“I am much obliged to you, but I have to travel all night in order to reach a distant part of the country punctually at an appointed time in the morning.”
Therewith the ironmaster takes his departure, Sir Leicester ringing the bell and my Lady rising as he leaves the room.
When my Lady goes to her boudoir, she sits down thoughtfully by the fire, and inattentive to the Ghost’s Walk, looks at Rosa, writing in an inner room. Presently my Lady calls her.
“Come to me, child. Tell me the truth. Are you in love?”
“Oh! My Lady!”
My Lady, looking at the downcast and blushing face, says smiling, “Who is it? Is it Mrs. Rouncewell’s grandson?”
“Yes, if you please, my Lady. But I don’t know that I am in love with him—yet.”
“Yet, you silly little thing! Do you know that he loves you , yet?”
“I think he likes me a little, my Lady.” And Rosa bursts into tears.
Is this Lady Dedlock standing beside the village beauty, smoothing her dark hair with that motherly touch, and watching her with eyes so full of musing interest? Aye, indeed it is!
“Listen to me, child. You are young and true, and I believe you are attached to me.”
“Indeed I am, my Lady. Indeed there is nothing in the world I wouldn’t do to show how much.”
“And I don’t think you would wish to leave me just yet, Rosa, even for a lover?”