Alice regretted,--regretted deeply that she had not consented to go with her cousin. After all, of what importance had been her objection when compared with the cause for which her presence had been desired? Doubtless she would have been uncomfortable at Lady Monk's house; but could she not have borne some hour or two of discomfort on her friend's behalf? But, in truth, it was only after Lady Glencora had left her that she began to understand the subject fully, and to feel that she might possibly have been of service in a great danger. But it was too late now. Then she strove to comfort herself with the reflection that a casual meeting at an evening party in London could not be perilous in the same degree as a prolonged sojourn together in a country house.
It was only after Lady Glencora had left that Alice began to understand the subject fully, and to feel that she might have been of use in a great danger. She regretted deeply that she had not consented to go with her cousin. Doubtless she would have been uncomfortable at Lady Monk's house; but could she not have borne an hour or two of discomfort on her friend's behalf?
However, it was too late now. She strove to comfort herself with the reflection that a casual meeting at an evening party in London could not be nearly as perilous as a prolonged stay together in a country house.