Suppose you lend me this?' And he touched her on
the shoulder to signify a tight little jacket she wore.
Margery was all obedience. She took it off and handed it to him.
The Baron rolled and compressed it with all his force till it was
about as large as an apple-dumpling, and put it into his pocket.
'The next thing,' he said, 'is about getting the consent of your
friends to your going. Have you thought of this?'
'There is only my father. I can tell him I am invited to a party,
and I don't think he'll mind. Though I would rather not tell him.'
'But it strikes me that you must inform him something of what you
intend. I would strongly advise you to do so.' He spoke as if
rather perplexed as to the probable custom of the English peasantry
in such matters, and added, 'However, it is for you to decide. I
know nothing of the circumstances. As to getting to the ball, the
plan I have arranged is this. The direction to Lord Toneborough's
being the other way from my house, you must meet me at Three-Walks-
End--in Chillington Wood, two miles or more from here. You know the
place? Good. By meeting there we shall save five or six miles of
journey--a consideration, as it is a long way. Now, for the last
time: are you still firm in your wish for this particular treat and
no other? It is not too late to give it up.
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