|Meanwhile, another explanation took place in the drawing-room between
Mrs. Calverley and Emmeline.
They were standing close beside a window, looking upon a square, and
sufficiently removed from a central table, near which were seated
Captain Danvers, with Chetwynd and his sister.
“I have brought you here, my love, to have a few words with you,”
commenced Mrs. Calverley. “I am commissioned by Lady Thicknesse to ask a
question, which she doesn't like to ask herself. If you haven't already
discovered it, I must tell you she has set her heart upon marrying you
to Lord Courland.”
“I am very much obliged to her!” said Emmeline. “But I suppose my
consent will be first obtained?”
“That is the very point upon which I have undertaken to consult you,”
said Mrs. Calverley. “Should his lordship propose, are you inclined to
accept him?”
“He is not likely to propose to me,” replied Emmeline. “I may
congratulate you on the conquest you have made.”
“I am quite as indifferent to his lordship as you appear to be, my
love,” rejoined Mrs. Calverley.
“I shouldn't have supposed so!” laughed Emmeline. “But of course, I take
your word for it. Pray tell my aunt I am sorry to disappoint her, but
she has made a wrong choice for me!”
“May I add anything more? May I assign a motive for your conduct? May I
tell her you are already engaged?”
“Tell her whatever you please, dear Mrs. Calverley; but make her
clearly understand that no persuasion shall ever induce me to marry Lord
Courland. I surrender him entirely to you!”
“Never mind me! But do tell me who is the highly-favoured individual you
have chosen?”
“Can you not guess? There is but one person I could choose, and he is
not very far off.”
“Chetwynd?” cried Mrs. Calverley.
“Yes.”
“And you have accepted him?”
Again the answer was in the affirmative. “He is indeed most fortunate?”
exclaimed Mrs. Calverley. “One question more and I have done.”
“I know what you would ask,” replied Emmeline. “Mamma has given her
consent. But the marriage will not take place for some months.”
“Oh, how delighted I am!” cried Mrs. Calverley, with difficulty
refraining from embracing her.
At this juncture Chetwynd arose. He had been watching them, and guessed
what they were talking about.
As he approached, Mrs. Calverley sprang forward to meet him.
“Chetwynd,” she said, “I have just received some information that has
given me the greatest pleasure. I think I ought to have been let into
the secret; but I am too much overjoyed to complain!”
“I am glad the disclosure has been made,” he said. “The maintenance of
the secret has placed Emmeline in a false position.”
“But no harm has ensued,” observed the young lady. “I have only just
discovered my aunt's scheme, or I should have acquainted her with the
engagement. I now regret that I did not do so when I first came to
town.”
“And I am at liberty to explain all to Lady Thick-nesse?” inquired Mrs.
Calverley.
“You will greatly oblige me,” said Emmeline. “I shall be very glad to
escape the task.”
“I will go to her at once,” said Mrs. Calverley.
And quitting the room, she repaired to the boudoir.
There she found that Sir Bridgnorth had been beforehand with her, and,
explanations being unnecessary, she talked the matter over quietly with
Lady Thicknesse, and endeavoured to reconcile her to the arrangement,
apparently with some success.
Mrs. Calverley had quitted the boudoir rather more than half an hour,
and Lady Thicknesse was alone, and lamenting the failure of her scheme,
when Scrope again made his appearance.
His countenance had a singular expression, and he remained standing,
while he said, in rather a stern voice:
“Don't give yourself any concern about Emmeline's imprudent engagement
with Chetwynd Calverley, aunt. I have just learnt something that will
enable me to put an end to it.”
“You don't say so! What is it?” exclaimed Lady Thicknesse, in surprise.
“I cannot explain now,” he rejoined. “Wait till to-morrow!”
But finding her ladyship could not repress her curiosity, and determined
not to gratify it, he abruptly quitted the boudoir, leaving her in a
high state of excitement.