Chapter 19 - Page 2

In the meantime, Edward returned suitable replies to Mrs Vardena€™s courtesies, and that lady brightened up very much; so that when he accepted a dish of tea from the fair hands of Dolly, she was perfectly agreeable.

a€˜I am sure if therea€™s anything we can do,a€"Varden, or I, or Dolly either,a€"to serve you, sir, at any time, you have only to say it, and it shall be done,a€™ said Mrs V.

a€˜I am much obliged to you, I am sure,a€™ returned Edward. a€˜You encourage me to say that I have come here now, to beg your good offices.a€™

Mrs Varden was delighted beyond measure.

a€˜It occurred to me that probably your fair daughter might be going to the Warren, either to-day or to-morrow,a€™ said Edward, glancing at Dolly; a€˜and if so, and you will allow her to take charge of this letter, maa€™am, you will oblige me more than I can tell you. The truth is, that while I am very anxious it should reach its destination, I have particular reasons for not trusting it to any other conveyance; so that without your help, I am wholly at a loss.a€™

a€˜She was not going that way, sir, either to-day, or to-morrow, nor indeed all next week,a€™ the lady graciously rejoined, a€˜but we shall be very glad to put ourselves out of the way on your account, and if you wish it, you may depend upon its going to-day. You might suppose,a€™ said Mrs Varden, frowning at her husband, a€˜from Vardena€™s sitting there so glum and silent, that he objected to this arrangement; but you must not mind that, sir, if you please. Ita€™s his way at home. Out of doors, he can be cheerful and talkative enough.a€™

Now, the fact was, that the unfortunate locksmith, blessing his stars to find his helpmate in such good humour, had been sitting with a beaming face, hearing this discourse with a joy past all expression. Wherefore this sudden attack quite took him by surprise.

a€˜My dear Marthaa€"a€™ he said.

a€˜Oh yes, I dare say,a€™ interrupted Mrs Varden, with a smile of mingled scorn and pleasantry. a€˜Very dear! We all know that.a€™

a€˜No, but my good soul,a€™ said Gabriel, a€˜you are quite mistaken. You are indeed. I was delighted to find you so kind and ready. I waited, my dear, anxiously, I assure you, to hear what you would say.a€™

a€˜You waited anxiously,a€™ repeated Mrs V. a€˜Yes! Thank you, Varden. You waited, as you always do, that I might bear the blame, if any came of it. But I am used to it,a€™ said the lady with a kind of solemn titter, a€˜and thata€™s my