You would have run in hysterics to
the General. But there was never one among them all who was worth the
inconvenience, so I gave it up. I always had more sense than
sentiment.' She sighed with regret for the legions of disappointed and
fictitious lovers waiting under windows, with which her mind was
peopled. 'Not one,' she repeated.
No one took any notice. Sophia, drooping her heavy head, was thinking
of brigands in a far country and of Caroline and herself left in
Nelson Lodge without Rose and without Henrietta. If they really went
away she determined to tell Henrietta the story of her lover, lest she
should die and the tale be unrecorded. She wanted somebody to know;
she would tell Henrietta on the eve of her departure, among the bags
and boxes. He had gone to America and died there, and that continent
was both sacred to her and abhorrent.
'Don't go to America,' she murmured.
'Why not?' Caroline demanded. 'Just the place they ought to go to.
Lots of millionaires.'
Rose reassured Sophia. 'And it is only an idea. I haven't said a word
to Henrietta.'
Henrietta showed no enthusiasm for the suggestion. She liked Radstowe.
And there was the Battys' ball. It would be a pity to miss that. She
must certainly not miss that, said Caroline and Sophia. And what was
she going to wear? They had better go upstairs at once, to the elder
ladies' room, and see what could be done with Caroline's pink satin.
She had only worn it once, years ago.
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