When she had come to Mistletoe she had fondly hoped
that none of the family there would know anything about Mr. Morton.
And now she was called upon to answer these horrid questions
without a moment's notice! "I don't think I shall go with him,
aunt; though I am unable to say anything certain just at present.
If he behaves badly of course the engagement must be off."
"I hope not. You should think of it very seriously. As for money,
you know, you have none of your own, and I am told that he has a
very nice property in Rufford. There is a neighbour of his coming
here to-morrow, and perhaps he knows him."
"Who is the neighbour, aunt?" asked Arabella, innocently.
"Lord Rufford. He is coming to shoot. I will ask him about the
property."
"Pray don't mention my name, aunt. It would be so unpleasant if
nothing were to come of it. I know Lord Rufford very well."
"Know Lord Rufford very well!"
"As one does know men that one meets about"
"I thought it might settle everything if we had Mr. Morton here."
"I couldn't meet him, aunt; I couldn't indeed. Mamma doesn't think
that he is behaving well." To the Duchess condemnation from Lady
Augustus almost amounted to praise. She felt sure that Mr. Morton
was a worthy man who would not probably behave badly, and though
she could not unravel the mystery, and certainly had no suspicion
in regard to Lord Rufford, she was sure that there was something
wrong.
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