"I mean, in the first place, that you two could not get yourselves married."
"Oh, yes; Mr Oriel would manage that for us. We are his parishioners, and he would be bound to do it."
"I beg your pardon; I believe that under all the circumstances it would be illegal."
Mary smiled; but she said nothing. "You may laugh, Miss Thorne, but I think you will find that I am right. There are still laws to prevent such fearful distress as would be brought about by such a marriage."
"I hope that nothing I shall do will bring distress on the family."
"Ah, but it would; don't you know that it would? Think of it, Miss Thorne. Think of Frank's state, and of his father's state. You know enough of that, I am sure, to be well aware that Frank is not in a condition to marry without money. Think of the position which Mr Gresham's only son should hold in the county; think of the old name, and the pride we have in it; you have lived among us enough to understand all this; think of these things, and then say whether it is possible such a marriage should take place without family distress of the deepest kind. Think of Mr Gresham; if you truly love my son, you could not wish to bring on him all this misery and ruin."
Mary now was touched, for there was truth in what Lady Arabella said. But she had no power of going back; her troth was plighted, and nothing that any human being could say should shake her from it. If he, indeed, chose to repent, that would be another thing.
"Lady Arabella," she said, "I have nothing to say in favour of this engagement, except that he wishes it."
"And is that a reason, Mary?"
"To me it is; not only a reason, but a law. I have given him my promise."