Garrow, as to the offer which had now
for a third time been made to their daughter. On that evening,
after the ladies had gone, and when the two boys had taken
themselves off, Godfrey Holmes told his tale to his host, and had
honestly explained to him what he believed to be the state of his
daughter's feelings. "Now you know all," said he. "I do believe
that she loves me, and if she does, perhaps she may still listen to
you." Major Garrow did not feel sure that he "knew it all." But
when he had fully discussed the matter that night with his wife,
then he thought that perhaps he had arrived at that knowledge.
On the following morning Bessy learned from the maid, at an early
hour, that Godfrey Holmes had left Thwaite Hall and gone back to
Liverpool. To the girl she said nothing on the subject, but she
felt obliged to say a word or two to Bella. "It is his coming that
I regret," she said;--"that he should have had the trouble and
annoyance for nothing. I acknowledge that it was my fault, and I am
very sorry."
"It cannot be helped," said Miss Holmes, somewhat gravely. "As to
his misfortunes, I presume that his journeys between here and
Liverpool are not the worst of them."
After breakfast on that day Bessy was summoned into her father's
book-room, and found him there, and her mother also.
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