Mrs. Connop Green marvelled at her coolness
knowing how much must depend on the answer which her mother had
brought back from London, and knowing nothing of the contents of
the letter which Arabella had received that morning from the
lawyer. In a moment or two Lady Augustus followed her daughter
upstairs, and on going into her own room found the damsel standing
in the middle of it with an open paper in her hand. "Mamma," she
said, "shut the door." Then the door was closed. "What is the
meaning of this?" and she held out the lawyer's letter.
"The meaning of what?" said Lady Augustus, trembling.
"I have no doubt you know, but you had better read it"
Lady Augustus read the letter and attempted to smile. "He has been
very quick," she said. "I thought I should have been the first to
tell you."
"What is the meaning of it? Why is the man to give me all that
money?"
"Is it not a good escape from so great a trouble? Think what 8,000
pounds will do. It will enable you to live in comfort wherever you
may please to go."
"I am to understand then you have sold me,--sold all my hopes and
my very name and character, for 8,000 pounds!"
"Your name and character will not be touched, my dear. As for his
marrying you I soon found that that was absolutely out of the
question."
"This is what has come of sending you to see him! Of course I shall
tell my uncle everything.
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