He bowed stiffly, and begged to know why her Ladyship had honored him with a visit.
Lady Lydiard replied without noticing the coldness of her reception.
"I have not been very well, Mr.Hardyman, or you would have seen me before this.

My only object in presenting myself here is to make my excuses personally for having written of you in terms which expressed a doubt of your honor.

I have done you an injustice, and I beg you to forgive me." Hardyman acknowledged this frank apology as unreservedly as it had been offered to him.

"Say no more, Lady Lydiard.

And let me hope, now you are here, that you will honor my little party with your presence." Lady Lydiard gravely stated her reasons for not accepting the invitation.
"I disapprove so strongly of unequal marriages," she said, walking on slowly towards the cottage, "that I cannot, in common consistency, become one of your guests.