Liverpool had occurred. Isabella's visit had been partly one of
business, it being necessary that certain money affairs should be
arranged between her, her brother, and the Major. "I determined,"
said Bessy, "not to let my feelings stand in the way; and hoped that
things might settle down to their former friendly footing. I
already fear that I have been wrong, but it will be ungenerous in
you to punish me." Then she went on to say that if anybody
attempted to interfere with her, she should at once go away to her
mother's sister, who lived at Hexham, in Northumberland.

Then came the dance, and the hearts of Kate and Patty Coverdale were
at last happy. But here again poor Bessy was made to understand how
terribly difficult was this experiment of entertaining on a footing
of friendship a lover with whom she had quarrelled only a month or
two before. That she must as a necessity become the partner of
Godfrey Holmes she had already calculated, and so much she was
prepared to endure. Her brothers would of course dance with the
Coverdale girls, and her father would of course stand up with
Isabella. There was no other possible arrangement, at any rate as a
beginning.

She had schooled herself, too, as to the way in which she would
speak to him on the occasion, and how she would remain mistress of
herself and of her thoughts. But when the time came the difficulty
was almost too much for her.

"You do not care much for dancing, if I remember?" said he.

"Oh yes, I do. Not as Patty Coverdale does. It's a passion with
her. But then I am older than Patty Coverdale." After that he was