She read the Duke's letter
to Mrs. Connop Green, with certain very slight additions,--or
innuendos as to additions,--and was pleased to find that the letter
was taken by Mrs. Connop Green as positive proof of the existence
of the engagement. She wrote begging the Duke to allow her to have
the meeting at the family house in Piccadilly, and to this prayer
the Duke was obliged to assent. "It would," she said, "give her so
much assistance in speaking to Lord Rufford!" She named a day also,
and then spent her time in preparing herself for the interview by
counsel with Mrs. Green and by exacting explanations from her
daughter.
This was a very bad time for Arabella,--so bad, that had she known
to what she would be driven, she would probably have repudiated the
Duke and her mother altogether. "Now, my dear," she began, "you
must tell me everything that occurred first at Rufford and then at
Mistletoe."
"You know very well what occurred, mamma."
"I know nothing about it, and unless everything is told me I will
not undertake this mission. Your uncle evidently thinks that by my
interference the thing may be arranged. I have had the same idea
all through myself, but as you have been so obstinate I have not
liked to say so. Now, Arabella, begin from the beginning. When was
it that he first suggested to you the idea of marriage?"
"Good heavens, mamma!"
"I must have it from the beginning to the end.
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