Wives and Daughters: An Every-Day Story - Page 362/572

"Yes--Lady Harriet--of course--every one who knows Lady Harriet knows

that she is of too sanguine a temperament for her statements to be

perfectly relied on. Altogether--strangers are often deluded by Lady

Harriet--she has an off-hand manner which takes them in; but she does

not mean half she says."

"We will hope she does in this instance," said Cynthia, shortly.

"They're in London now, and Lady Cumnor hasn't suffered from the

journey."

"They say so," said Mrs. Gibson, shaking her head, and laying an

emphasis on the word "say." "I am perhaps over-anxious, but I wish--I

wish I could see and judge for myself. It would be the only way of

calming my anxiety. I almost think I shall go up with you, Cynthia,

for a day or two, just to see her with my own eyes. I don't quite

like your travelling alone either. We will think about it, and you

shall write to Mr. Kirkpatrick, and propose it, if we determine upon

it. You can tell him of my anxiety; and it will be only sharing your

bed for a couple of nights."