I hate him. I
would marry Mr. Morton tomorrow, and go with him to Patagonia, or
anywhere else,--if he would have me after hearing what I have
done." Then she rose from her chair; but before she left the room
she said a word further. "Do not speak a word to my mother about
this. Mamma knows nothing of my purpose. Mamma only wants me to
marry Lord Rufford, and to throw Mr. Morton over. Do not tell
anyone else, Lady Ushant; but if he is ever well enough then you
must tell him." After that she went, leaving Lady Ushant in the
room astounded by the story she had heard.
VOLUME III
CHAPTER I
"I have told him Everything."
That evening was very long and very sad to the three ladies
assembled in the drawing-room at Bragton Park, but it was probably
more so to Lady Augustus than the other two. She hardly spoke to
either of them; nor did they to her; while a certain amount of
conversation in a low tone was carried on between Lady Ushant and
Miss Trefoil. When Arabella came down to dinner she received a
message from the sick man. He sent his love, and would so willingly
have seen her instantly,--only that the doctor would not allow it.
But he was so glad,--so very glad that she had come! This Lady
Ushant said to her in a whisper, and seemed to say it as though she
had heard nothing of that frightful story which had been told to
her not much more than an hour ago.
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