This note she sent before going to bed. When it was received at The Oaks, a conversation ensued which was largely ejaculatory:
"How shocking!"
"Yes, and how scandalous!"
"What will people say!"
"The girl must be bewitched!"
"And yet it is better than nursing soldiers, and she an unmarried woman!"
"Perhaps. At any rate it is clear that we can exercise no restraint over the poor, headstrong child."
"No, Captain Pegram has completely undermined our influence. Of course we cannot lend our countenance to the affair by attending!"
"I think we must. Otherwise people will talk. They might even call it a runaway match."
"That would be too dreadful!"