Those two were well suited to each other once," said
Miss Charlotte.
The Hartwell carriage came round the sweep, the Hartwell coachman--who
was groom and gardener too--not in the best of humors at having been
kept so long waiting. Lady Latimer, with a sweet countenance, kissed
Bessie at her leave-taking, and told her that permission was obtained
for her to visit Fairfield next spring. Then she got into the carriage,
and bowing and smiling in her exquisite way, and Miss Charlotte a little
impatient and tired, they drove off. Bessie, exhilarated with her rather
remote prospect of the Forest, turned to speak to her grandfather. But,
lo! his brief amenity had vanished, and he was Mr. Phipps again.
CHAPTER XXXI.
_A SUCCESS AND A REPULSE_.
The weather at the beginning of October was not favorable. There were
gloomy days of wind and rain that Bessie Fairfax had to fill as she
could, and in her own company, of which she found it possible to have
more than enough. Mr. Fairfax had acquired solitary tastes and habits,
and though to see Elizabeth's face at meal-times and to ride with her
was a pleasure, he was seldom at her command at other hours. Mrs. Stokes
was sociable and Mrs. Forbes was kind, but friends out of doors do not
compensate altogether for the want of company within. Sir Edward Lucas
rode or drove over rather frequently seeking advice, but he had to take
it from the squire after the first or second occasion, though his
contemporary would have given it with pleasure.
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