I would sooner be George Hawker's wife than sit there, crushed and bored by their highflown talk." Soon after dinner she retired with her aunt; they did not talk much when they were alone, so Mary soon retired to her room, and having made a few very slight preparations, sat down at the window.

The time was soon to come, but it was very cold; the maids were out, as they always were on Sunday evening, and there was a fire in the kitchen,--she would go and sit there--so down she went.
She wished to be alone, so when she saw a candle burning in the kitchen she was disappointed, but went in nevertheless.

My Lord's groom, who had been sitting before the fire, rose up and saluted her.

A handsome young man, rather square and prominent about the jaws, but nevertheless foolish and amiable looking.

The sort of man one would suppose, who, if his lord were to tell him to jump into the pit Tophet, would pursue one of two courses, either jump in himself, without further to do, or throw his own brother in with profuse apologies.