If she had been defeated the offer might have been
withdrawn.
'I have fancied before now that I have seen in you a decided
preference for Mrs. Mudge.'
This was true. He had 'tried it on with her,' to use her own words,
but she was impregnable. 'It was no good with me,' she said to Miss
Everard; 'I saw what he was after.'
'My dear Mrs. Poulter, your supposition is preposterous--forgive me-
-you do not suppose that I am unable to recognise superiority in
birth, in manners, and in intellect. It was better, on this
particular occasion, to conciliate Mrs. Mudge. She is not worthy of
serious opposition. Miss Toller will not sit near you.'
Mrs. Poulter was pacified.
'I am glad to hear this explanation. I had hoped that one might be
forthcoming.'
'I am truly thankful I am worthy of hope, TRULY thankful.'
Mrs. Poulter dropped Palmer's Ecclesiastical History, which she had
begun to read every Sunday afternoon for three months. Mr. Goacher
picked it up, and was about to take Mrs. Poulter's hand, but Miss
Taggart entered and the conversation closed just when it was
becoming interesting.
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