Also,  the  morning  after  her  arrival  came  a  special
delivery  letter  from  Neville:

449


THE    COMMON   LAW


"  It  was  a  mistake  to  go,  dear,  l>ecause,  although
you  could  not  have  known  it,  matters  have  changed  most
hapjjily  for  us.  You  were  a  welcome  guest  in  my  sister's
house;  you  would  have  been  asked  to  remain  after  your
visit  at  ICstwich  was  over.  My  family's  sentiments  are
changing — have  changed.  It  requires  onlj-  you  your-
self to  convince  them.  I  wish  you  had  remained,  al-
though your  going  so  quietly  commanded  the  respect
of  everybody.  They  all  are  very  silent  about  it  and
aljout  you,  j'et  I  can  see  that  they  have  been  affected
most  favourably  by  their  brief  glimpse  of  you.
"  As  for  your  wishing  to  remain  undisturljed  for  a
few  days,  I  can  see  no  reason  for  it  now,  dear,  but  of
course  I   sliall   respect   your  wishes.
"  Only  Send  me  a  line  to  say  that  the  month  of  June
will  mean  our  marriage.  Say  it,  dear,  because  there
is  now  no  reason  to   refuse.''

To  which  she  answered :

"  Dearest  among  all  men,  no  family's  sentiments
change  over  night.  Your  people  were  nice  to  me  and
I  have  thanked  them.  But,  dear,  I  am  not  likely  to  de-
lude myself  in  regard  to  their  real  sentiments  concern-
ing mc.  Too  deeply  ingrained,  too  basic,  too  essentially
part  of  themselves  and  of  their  lives  are  tiie  creeds,
codes,  and  beliefs  which,  in  spite  of  theiiiselves,  must
conti]uie  to  govern  tlicir  real  attitude  toward  such  a
girl  ;;s  I  am.
"  It  is  dear  of  you  to  wish  for  us  what  cannot  be  ;
it  is  kind  of  them  to  accejjt  your  wish  with  resignation.
