There was a coach which started in those days from York at noon, reaching London early on the following day. He would go up by this coach, and would thus avoid the necessity of much further association with his family before he had decided what should be his conduct. But he must see his cousin before he went. He therefore sent a note to her before she had left her room on the following morning;-- DEAR ANNA, I purpose starting for London in an hour or so, and wish to say one word to you before I go. Will you meet me at nine in the drawing-room? Do not mention my going to my uncle or aunts, as it will be better that I should tell them myself. Yours, L. At ten minutes before nine Lady Anna was in the drawing-room waiting for him, and at ten minutes past nine he joined her. "I beg your pardon for keeping you waiting." She gave him her hand, and said that it did not signify in the least. She was always early. "I find that I must go up to London at once," he said. To this she made no answer, though he seemed to expect some reply. "In the first place, I could not remain here in comfort after what you told me yesterday." "I shall be sorry to drive you away. It is your home; and as I must go soon, had I not better go at once?" "No;--that is, I think not. I shall go at any rate. I have told none of them what you told me yesterday." "I am glad of that, Lord Lovel." "It is for you to tell it,--if it must be told." "I did tell your aunt Jane,--that you and I never can be as--you said you wished." "I did wish it most heartily. You did not tell it--all." "No;--not all." "You astounded me so, that I could hardly speak to you as I should have spoken. I did not mean to be uncourteous." "I did not think you uncourteous, Lord Lovel. I am sure you would not be uncourteous to me." "But you astounded me. It is not that I think much of myself, or of my rank as belonging to me. I know that I have but little to be proud of. I am very poor,--and not clever like some young men who have not large fortunes, but who can become statesmen and all that. But I do think much of my order; I think much of being a gentleman,--and much of ladies being ladies. Do you understand me?" "Oh, yes;--I understand you." "If you are Lady Anna Lovel--" "I am Lady Anna Lovel." "I believe you are with all my heart. You speak like it, and look like it. You are fit for any position. Everything is in your favour. I do believe it. But if so--" "Well, Lord Lovel;--if so?" "Surely you would not choose to--to--to degrade your rank. That is the truth. If I be your cousin, and the head of your family, I have a right to speak as such. What you told me would be degradation." She thought a moment, and then she replied to him,--"It would be no disgrace." He too found himself compelled to think before he could speak again. "Do you think that you could like your associates if you were to be married to Mr. Thwaite?"