The dowager had been urging
Maude to like him, and she could not, and it made her miserable."
"Did Maude tell you this?" inquired Anne; her radiant eyes full of
surprise.
"Not Maude: she never said a word to me upon the subject. It was the
dowager."
"Then, Val, she must have said it with an object in view. I am sure Maude
did love him. I know she did."
He shook his head. "You are wrong, Anne, depend upon it. She did not like
him, and she and her mother were at variance upon the point. However, it
is of no moment to discuss it now: and it might never have come to an
issue had Edward lived, for he did not care for her; and I dare say never
would have cared for her."
Anne said no more. It was of no moment as he observed; but she retained
her own opinion. They strolled to the end of the short walk in silence,
and Anne said she must go in.
"Am I quite forgiven?" whispered Lord Hartledon, bending his head down to
her.
"I never thought I had very much to forgive," she rejoined, after a
pause.
"My darling! I mean by your father."
"Ah, I don't know. You must talk to him. He knows we have been writing to
each other. I think he means to trust you."
"The best plan will be for you to come soon to Hartledon, Anne. I shall
never go wrong when once you are my wife."
"Do you go so very wrong now?" she asked.
"On my honour, no! You need not doubt me, Anne; now or ever.
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