"Yes, my lady;" and he disappeared.
"How I do hate," exclaimed Henrietta, "those mechanical 'yeses' and 'noes!' I wish every body else was as impatient as myself. Though, perhaps," added she, half-smiling, "it is as well that they are not."
A few hasty turns up and down the luxurious room, and she resumed her seat, and began again to read the letter, which lay open on a table beside. It was from Sir Jasper; and, for the first time, he asked her to come and see him. The letter was written with cheerful words; but, to the quick eye of affection, there lacked the cheerful spirit.
"It is selfish," wrote her uncle, "to ask you to leave all your gaiety, all your triumphs, to share an old man's solitude; but I wish it very much: and my dear child must, indeed, be changed, if it be not a pleasure to gratify that wish. Summer is now in great beauty, but I cannot enjoy our green walks without a companion; and I want you to see how all your favourite flowers have prospered under my care. You must come and be grateful.
