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Remembering that Mary Sugg was to appear at the priory with her boxes the following morning, Richard conceived it advisable that he should enlighten the Lady Letitia as to Miss Sugg's advent. Not desiring to frighten the old lady, he announced to her after supper, with an air of quiet unconcern, that there was a reputed case of small-pox in the village and that he had offered his hospitality to Mary Sugg, who was very susceptible to fever. The Lady Letitia received the news with rampant astonishment, and fell straightway to abusing her nephew for dreaming of introducing the parson's daughter into the house.
"You must be mad, Richard," she said, looking red and overheated, "to think of dragging the girl up here. Precious little consideration you show for your aunt's safety, sir! I suppose my susceptibility to fevers is not worthy of consideration."