Sometimes I
do get right. But I thought I would not enter your lordship's house
as a guest without telling you what I was doing." Then Lord Rufford
assured him that this little affair about Goarly would make no
difference in that respect. Mr. Gotobed again scrutinised the
hounds and Tony Tuppett, laughed in his sleeve because a fox wasn't
found in the first quarter of an hour, and after that was driven
back to Bragton.
The Sunday was a day of preparation for the Trefoils. Of course
they didn't go to church. Arabella indeed was never up in time for
church and Lady Augustus only went when her going would be duly
registered among fashionable people. Mr. Gotobed laughed when he
was invited and asked whether anybody was ever known to go to
church two Sundays running at Bragton. "People have been known to
refuse with less acrimony," said Morton. "I always speak my mind,
sir," replied the Senator. Poor John Morton, therefore, went to his
parish church alone.
There were many things to be considered by the Trefoils. There was
the question of dress. If any good was to be done by Arabella at
Rufford it must be done with great despatch. There would be the
dinner on Monday, the hunting on Tuesday, the ball, and then the
interesting moment of departure. No girl could make better use of
her time; but then, think of her difficulties! All that she did
would have to be done under the very eyes of the man to whom she
was engaged, and to whom she wished to remain engaged,--unless, as
she said to herself, she could "pull off the other event.
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