His voice
was weak, but it never quailed; and the only regret he expressed
was that he had not changed the bit in Jemima's mouth. Lord
Rufford's position was made worse by an expression from Sir John
Purefoy that the party ought to be put off. Sir John was in a
measure responsible for what his mare had done, and was in a
wretched state. "If it could possibly affect the poor fellow I
would do it," said Lord Rufford; "but it would create very great
inconvenience and disappointment. I have to think of other people."
"Then I shall send my wife home," said Sir John. And Lady Purefoy
was sent home. Sir John himself of course could not leave the house
while the man was alive. Before they all sat down to dinner the
Major was declared to be a little stronger. That settled the
question and the ball was not put off.
The ladies came down to dinner in a melancholy guise. They were not
fully dressed for the evening and were of course inclined to be
silent and sad. Before Lord Rufford came in Arabella managed to get
herself on to the sofa next to Lady Penwether, and then to undergo
some little hysterical manifestation, "Oh Lady Penwether; if you
had seen it;--and heard it!"
"I am very glad that I was spared anything so horrible."
"And the man's face as he passed me going to the leap! It will
haunt me to my dying day!" Then she shivered, and gurgled in her
throat, and turning suddenly round, hid her face on the elbow of
the couch.
Pages:
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238