She only
said, 'Oh! my lord, I beg your pardon. Certainly, only--'
The note was placed in Emily's hands, and with a bow from Lord
Rotherwood, she retreated, murmuring to herself the remonstrance
which she had not courage to bestow upon the Marquis.
'Thank you, thank you, Rotherwood,' said Emily; 'you have done me a
great service.'
'Well done, Rotherwood,' said Florence; 'you have given the old lady
something to reflect upon.'
'Made a public announcement of principle,' said Lily.
'I was determined to give her a reason,' said the Marquis, laughing,
'but I assure you I felt like the stork with its head in the wolf's
mouth, I thought she would give me a screed of doctrine. How came
you to let your property get unto her clutches, Emily?'
'It was a subscription for Mrs. Aylmer,' said Emily.
'Our curate's wife!' cried he with a start; 'how was it? Florence,
did you know anything? I thought she was in London. Why were we in
the dark? Tell me all.'
'All I know is that she is living somewhere in Raynham, and last week
there was a paper here to say that she was in want of the means of
fitting out her son for India.'
'Yes, yes, Johnny, I know my father did get a promise for him--well!'
'That is all I know, except that she does not choose to be a beggar.
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