“It is necessary to let you know, and then I shall leave the matter to your good sense, that Mrs. Wylder, and indeed the girl herself at various times, has behaved to me with such rudeness, that you cannot in ordinary decency have acquaintance with them. I mention it in case Mr. Wingfold should want to take you to see them. They are parishioners of his.”
“I am sorry I must disappoint you,” said Richard. Lady Ann rose with a grey glitter in her eyes.
“Am I to understand you intend calling on the Wylders?” she said.
“I have imperative reasons for calling upon them this very morning,” answered Richard.
“I am sorry you should so immediately show your antagonism!” said lady Ann.
“My obligations to Miss Wylder are such that I must see her the first possible moment.”
“Have you asked your father's permission?”
“I have not,” answered Richard, and left the room hurriedly.
The next moment he was out of the house: lady Ann might go to his father, and he would gladly avoid the necessity of disobeying him the first morning after his return! He did not know how small was her influence with her husband.
He took the path across the fields, and ran until he was out of sight of Mortgrange.