A governess like Lucy had been quite foolish to expect that such a
man as Greystock was in earnest. Of course she must give up her lover; and
if there must be blame she, must blame herself for her folly!
Nevertheless, Lady Fawn was so soft-hearted that she believed that the
sorrow would crush Lucy, even if it did not kill her.
But not the less was it her duty to tell Lucy what she thought to be the
truth. The story of what had occurred among the rocks at Portray was very
disagreeable, but she believed it to be true. The man had been making love
to his cousin after his engagement to Lucy. And then, was it not quite
manifest that he was neglecting poor Lucy in every way? He had not seen
her for nearly six months. Had he intended to marry her, would he not have
found a home for her at the deanery? Did he in any respect treat her as he
would treat the girl whom he intended to marry? Putting all these things
together, Lady Fawn thought that she saw that Lucy's case was hopeless;
and, so thinking, wrote to her the following letter:
"FAWN COURT, 3d March, 18--
"DEAREST LUCY: I have so much to say to you that I did think of getting
Lady Linlithgow to let you come to us here for a day, but I believe it
will perhaps be better that I should write.
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