But John Morton, after once saying that he loved her, had
never tired, had never wished to escape. He had been so true to his
love, so true to his word, that he had borne from her usage which
would have fully justified escape had escape been to his taste. But
to the last he had really loved her, and now, on his death bed, he
had sent for her to come to him. She would not be coward enough to
refuse his request. "Should he say anything to you about his will
don't refuse to hear him, because it may be of the greatest
importance," Lady Augustus whispered to her daughter as the
carriage was driven up to the front door.
It was then four o'clock, and it was understood that the two ladies
were to stay that one night at Bragton, a letter having been
received by Lady Ushant that morning informing her that the mother
as well as the daughter was coming. Poor Lady Ushant was almost
beside herself,--not knowing what she would do with the two women,
and having no one in the house to help her. Something she had heard
of Lady Augustus, but chiefly from Mrs. Hopkins who certainly had
not admired her master's future mother-in-law. Nor had Arabella
been popular; but of her Mrs. Hopkins had only dared to say that
she was very handsome and "a little upstartish." How she was to
spend the evening with them Lady Ushant could not conceive,--it
having been decided, in accordance with the doctor's orders, that
the interview should not take place till the next morning.
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