“I ask you not to, Lavinia. If you need a change, I will take you quietly to Bath, or where you will. Do not pain me by going to Andover just now.”

“Bath! Bath! What do I want with Bath at this time of the year? Oh, ’tis kind in you to offer, but I want to go to Andover! I want to see all the old friends again. And I want to get away from everything here⁠—’tis all so gloomy⁠—after⁠—after my lord’s death!”

“Dearest, of course you shall go away⁠—but if only you would remember that you are in mourning⁠—”

“But ’tis what I wish to forget! Oh, Dicky, don’t, don’t, don’t be unkind.”

“Very well, dear. If you must go⁠—go.”

She clapped her hands joyfully.

“Oh thank you, Dicky! And you are not angry with me?”

“No, dear, of course not.”