The present he had made to her of the
horse could mean nothing else. Under no other circumstances would
it be possible that she should either take the horse or use him.
Certainly it was an offer, and as such she would instruct her uncle
to use it. Then she allowed her imagination to revel in thoughts of
Rufford Hall, of the Rufford house in town, and a final end to all
those weary labours which she would thus have brought to so
glorious a termination.
CHAPTER XIII
Lord Rufford wants to see a Horse
Lord Rufford had been quite right about the Duchess. Arabella had
only taken off her hat and was drinking her tea when the Duchess
came up to her. "Lord Rufford says that you were too tired to come
in," said the Duchess.
"I am tired, aunt;--very tired. But there is nothing the matter
with me. We had to ride ever so far coming home and it was that
knocked up.
"It was very bad, your in a post chaise, Arabella."
"Why was it bad, aunt? I thought it very nice."
"My dear, it shouldn't have been done. You ought to have known
that. I certainly wouldn't have had you here had I thought that
there would be anything of the kind."
"It is going to be all right," said Arabella laughing.
According to her Grace's view of things it was not and could not be
made "all right." It would not have been all right were the girl to
become Lady Rufford to-morrow.
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