this
was to be matter for deliberation. Fanny wanted her to send over a
note, in reply to Lady Lufton's, as harbinger of her coming; but Lucy
marched off, hardly answering this proposition.

"What's the use of such a deal of ceremony?" she said. "I know she's
at home; and if she is not, I shall only lose ten minutes in going."
And so she went, and on reaching the door of Framley Court house
found that her ladyship was at home. Her heart almost came to her
mouth as she was told so, and then, in two minutes' time, she found
herself in the little room upstairs. In that little room we found
ourselves once before--you and I, O my reader;--but Lucy had never
before visited that hallowed precinct. There was something in its air
calculated to inspire awe in those who first saw Lady Lufton sitting
bolt upright in the cane-bottomed arm-chair, which she always
occupied when at work at her books and papers; and this she knew when
she determined to receive Lucy in that apartment. But there was there
another arm-chair, an easy, cosy chair, which stood by the fireside;
and for those who had caught Lady Lufton napping in that chair of
an afternoon, some of this awe had perhaps been dissipated. "Miss
Robarts," she said, not rising from her chair, but holding out her
hand to her visitor, "I am much obliged to you for having come over
to me here. You, no doubt, are aware of the subject on which I wish
to speak to you, and will agree with me that it is better that we
should meet here than over at the parsonage." In answer to which Lucy
merely bowed her head, and took her seat on the chair which had been
prepared for her. "My son," continued her ladyship, "has spoken to me
on the subject of-- I think I understand, Miss Robarts, that there
has been no engagement between you and him?"

"None whatever," said Lucy. "He made me an offer and I refused
him." This she said very sharply;--more so undoubtedly than the
circumstances required; and with a brusqueness that was injudicious
as well as uncourteous. But at the moment, she was thinking of her
own position with reference to Lady Lufton--not to Lord Lufton; and
of her feelings with reference to the lady--not to the gentleman.

"Oh," said Lady Lufton, a little startled by the manner of the
communication. "Then I am to understand that there is nothing now
going on between you and my son; that the whole affair is over?"

"That depends entirely upon you."

"On me; does it?"

"I do not know