“Richmond!” cried Catherine. “You must settle near Fullerton. You must be near us.”

“I am sure I shall be miserable if we do not. If I can but be near you , I shall be satisfied. But this is idle talking! I will not allow myself to think of such things, till we have your father’s answer. Morland says that by sending it tonight to Salisbury, we may have it tomorrow. Tomorrow! I know I shall never have courage to open the letter. I know it will be the death of me.”

A reverie succeeded this conviction⁠—and when Isabella spoke again, it was to resolve on the quality of her wedding-gown.