"Oh, we cannot possibly do without you; can we, Marian?" said Fanny.
"It's to be at Bingley's Dell, and we've got a bed for you at
Newcastle; quite near, you know."
"And another for--" began Bell, but she stopped herself.
"Go away to your lessons, Bell," said Marion. "You know how angry
mamma will be at your staying here all the morning;" and poor Bell
with a sorrowful look left the room.
"We are all certainly very anxious that you should come; very anxious
for a great many reasons," said Marian, in a voice that was rather
solemn, and as though the matter were one of considerable import.
"But if you really cannot, why of course there is no more to be
said."
"There will be plenty without me, I am sure."
"As regards numbers, I dare say there will; for we shall have pretty
nearly the whole of the two regiments;" and Marian as she alluded to
the officers spoke in a tone which might lead one to think that she
would much rather be without them; "but we counted on you as being
one of ourselves; and as you had been away so long, we thought--we
thought--," and then she turned away her face, and did not finish her
speech.
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