But still she was resolved that her Jason should not as yet be quit
of his Medea. So she made her plot. She would herself go down to
Rufford and force her way into her late lover's presence in spite
of all obstacles. It was possible that she should do this and get
back to London the same day,--but, to do so, she must leave London
by an early train at 7 A.M., stay seven or eight hours at Rufford,
and reach the London station at 10 P.M. For such a journey there
must be some valid excuse made to Mrs. Green. There must be some
necessity shown for such a journey. She would declare that a
meeting was necessary with her mother, and that her mother was at
any town she chose to name at the requisite distance from London.
In this way she might start with her maid before daylight, and get
back after dark, and have the meeting with her mother--or with Lord
Rufford as the case might be. But Mounser Green knew very well that
Lady Augustus was in Orchard Street, and knew also that Arabella
was determined not to see her mother. And if she declared her
purpose, without a caution to Mounser Green, the old woman would
tell her nephew, and the nephew would unwittingly expose the
deceit. It was necessary therefore that she should admit Mounser
Green to, at any rate, half a confidence. This she did. "Don't ask
me any questions," she said.
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