She wanted something flintier than
Senhouse. He might have tried to dissuade her; but her mind was now made
up. She intended to marry Nevile.
She breakfasted alone, and immediately afterwards went upstairs to write
her agreement. The thing was to be gone through with, and the sooner the
better.
"MY DEAR NEVILE," she wrote, "if it can ever be right to marry without
love, it must be in my case. I don't blame you in the least for what
happened. It was as much my doing as yours--and I still think that I was
right. And now I think that it is right to fulfil one's bargain--as it
would have been if I had married you. If I had been married to you, I
should not have left you unless you told me to go, and I don't think that
I ought to now. If you really wish it, you shall marry me when you please,
and I will do my duty by you always. Whatever arrangements you make will
suit me quite well; but the less fuss we make the better. I am sure that
you will think so too. Don't come to see me for a few days if you don't
mind. I want to think.--Yours affectionately, SANCHIA."
It was not a very gracious letter, it must be owned. So young and so
untender! One would have said that the man must be a courageous lover who
would take marriage on such terms; but either Ingram was very much in
love, or honestly hoped to be loved again.
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