"What is to be got by it?" asked the unfortunate mother.
In reply to this Arabella would say, "Mamma, you have no heart;--
absolutely none. You ought to manoeuvre better, than you do, for
your feelings never stand in your way for a moment" All this had to
be borne, and the old woman was forced at last not only to yield
but to promise that she would accompany her daughter to Bragton. "I
know how all this will end," she said to Arabella. "You will have
to go your way and I must go mine." "Just so," replied the
daughter. "I do not often agree with you, mamma; but I do there
altogether."
Lady Augustus was absolutely at a loss to understand what were the
motives and what the ideas which induced her daughter to take the
journey. If the man were to die no good could come of it. If he
were to live then surely that love which had induced him to make so
foolish a petition would suffice to ensure the marriage, if the
marriage should then be thought desirable. But, at the present
moment, Arabella was still hot in pursuit of Lord Rufford; to whom
this journey, as soon as it should be known to him, would give the
easiest mode of escape! How would it be possible that they two
should get out at the Dillsborough Station and be taken to Bragton
without all Rufford knowing it. Of course there would be hymns sung
in praise of Arabella's love and constancy, but such hymns would be
absolutely ruinous to her.
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