It was late in April when she went down to Mistletoe, the marriage
having been fixed for the 3rd of May. After that they were to spend
a fortnight in Paris, and leave England for Patagonia at the end of
the month. The only thing which Arabella dreaded was the meeting
with the Duchess. When that was once over she thought that she
could bear with equanimity all that could come after. The week
before her marriage could not be a pleasant week, but then she had
been accustomed to endure evil hours. Her uncle would be blandly
good-natured. Mistletoe, should he be there, would make civil
speeches to compensate for his indifference when called upon to
attack Lord Rufford. Other guests would tender to her the caressing
observance always shown to a bride. But as she got out of the ducal
carriage at the front door, her heart was uneasy at the coming
meeting.
The Duchess herself almost went to bed when the time came, so much
did she dread the same thing. She was quite alone, having felt that
she could not bring herself to give the affectionate embrace which
the presence of others would require. She stood in the middle of
the room and then came forward three steps to meet the bride.
"Arabella," she said, "I am very glad that everything has been
settled so comfortably for you."
"That is so kind of you, aunt," said Arabella, who was watching the
Duchess closely,--ready to jump into her aunt's arms if required to
do so, or to stand quite aloof.
Pages:
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777