But if she could, she thought, secure for
a husband this gentleman-yeoman, she might hold up her head with
the best. Even if Galofta should reappear, she would know then
how to meet him: with a friend or two, such as she had never had
yet, she could do what she pleased! It was hard work to get on
quite alone--or with people who cared only for themselves! She
must have some love on her side! some one who cared for
_her_!
From all she could learn, there was nothing that amounted even to
ordinary friendship between Mr. Wardour and the young widow. She
was in the family but as a distant poor relation--"Much as I am
myself!" thought Sepia, with a bitter laugh that even in her own
eyes she should be comparable to a poor creature like Letty. The
fact, however, remained that Godfrey was a little altered toward
her: she must have been telling him something against her--
something she had heard from that detestable little hypocrite who
was turned away on suspicion of theft! Yes--that was how Sepia
talked _to herself_ about Mary.
One morning, Letty, finding she had an hour's leisure, for her
aunt did not pursue her as of old time, wandered out to the oak
on the edge of the ha-ha, so memorable with the shadowy presence
of her Tom. She had not been seated under it many minutes before
Godfrey caught sight of her from his horse's back: knowing his
mother was gone to Testbridge, he yielded to an urgent longing,
took his horse to the stable, and crossed the grass to where she
sat.
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