I could have
paid off Dover, and given enough on account to the others to make
them wait patiently, if we contracted our expenses."
"But I mean how much should you want if we stayed in this house?"
"More than I am likely to get anywhere," said Lydgate, with rather
a grating sarcasm in his tone. It angered him to perceive that
Rosamond's mind was wandering over impracticable wishes instead
of facing possible efforts.
"Why should you not mention the sum?" said Rosamond, with a mild
indication that she did not like his manners.
"Well," said Lydgate in a guessing tone, "it would take at least
a thousand to set me at ease. But," he added, incisively, "I have
to consider what I shall do without it, not with it."
Rosamond said no more.
But the next day she carried out her plan of writing to Sir
Godwin Lydgate. Since the Captain's visit, she had received a
letter from him, and also one from Mrs. Mengan, his married sister,
condoling with her on the loss of her baby, and expressing
vaguely the hope that they should see her again at Quallingham.
Lydgate had told her that this politeness meant nothing; but she
was secretly convinced that any backwardness in Lydgate's family
towards him was due to his cold and contemptuous behavior, and she
had answered the letters in her most charming manner, feeling some
confidence that a specific invitation would follow.
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