s our English way, isn't it?--and somehow things
come right. Now, I am very political, and Winifred's very churchy--it
doesn't really matter what you take up. So do come. You can bring your
maid and have a sitting-room. Nobody would interfere with you. But, of
course, we should introduce you to some nice people. If you are a
sensible girl--and I expect you are, for your father was a very clever
man--you must know that you ought to marry as soon as possible. There
aren't many young men about here. What becomes of all the young men in
England, I'm sure I don't know. But there are a few--and quite possible.
There are the Kenbarrows, about four miles off--a large
family--_nouveaux riches_--the father made buttons, or something of the
kind. But the children are all most presentable, and enormously rich.
And, of course, there are the Fallodens--quite near--Mr. and Lady Laura,
Douglas, the eldest son, a girl of seventeen, and two children. You'll
probably see Douglas at Oxford. Oh, I believe Sir Arthur Falloden,
_pere_, told me the other day you had already met him somewhere.
Winifred and I don't like Douglas. But that's neither here nor there.
He's a magnificent creature, who can't be bothered with old ladies.
He'll no doubt make himself agreeable to you--_cela va sans dire_. I
don't altogether like what I hear sometimes about the Fallodens. Of
course Sir Arthur's very rich, but they say he's been speculating
enormously, and that he's been losing a good deal of money lately.
However, I don't suppose it matters. Their place, Flood Castle, is
really splendid--old to begin with, and done up! They have copied the
Americans and given every room a bathroom. Absurd extravagance! And
think of the plumbing! It was that kind of thing gave the Prince of
Wales typhoid. I hate drains!

"Well, anyway, do come and see us. Sophia Langmoor tells me she has
written to you, and if you go to her, you might come on here afterwards.
Winifred who has just read this letter says it will 'put you off.' I
don't see why it should. I certainly don't want it to. I'm downright, I
know, but I'm not hypocritical. The world's just run on white lies
nowadays--and I can't stand it. I don't tell any--if I can help.

"Oh, and there is Penfold Rectory not very far off--and a very nice man
there, though too 'broad' for Winifred. He tells me he's going to have
some people staying with him--a Mr. Sorell, and a young musician with a
Polish name--I can't remember it.