The scandal, or loud reproach due to
evil doings, may be silenced by subsequent conduct. The merited
punishment may not come visibly. But nothing happening after could
make it right that a young lady should come home from hunting in a
post chaise alone with a young unmarried man. When the Duchess
first heard it she thought what would have been her feelings if
such a thing had been suggested in reference to one of her own
daughters! Lord Rufford had come to her in the drawing-room and had
told her the story in a quiet pleasant manner,--merely saying that
Miss Trefoil was too much fatigued to show herself at the present
moment. She had thought from his manner that her niece's story had
been true. There was a cordiality and apparent earnestness as to
the girl's comfort which seemed to be compatible with the story.
But still she could hardly understand that Lord Rufford should wish
to have it known that he travelled about the country in such a
fashion with the girl he intended to marry. But if it were true,
then she must look after her niece. And even if it were not true,--
in which case she would never have the girl at Mistletoe again,--
yet she could not ignore her presence in the house. It was now the
18th of January. Lord Rufford was to go on the following day, and
Arabella on the 20th. The invitation had not been given so as to
stretch beyond that.
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