Maria withdrew for a few moments in company with Lady Ravensworth and the two bridemaids and when she returned she was dressed for travelling.
"Happy fellow!" whispered Major Dapper to his friend; "blow you!"
"Fooleth Thmilackth!" returned Sir Cherry Bounce. "But I am weally veway happy—ekthepth that curthed wide on the fatht twotting horth. Good bye: I thall wite to you in a few dayth."
The farewells were all said; and Maria resigned her hand to him who was about to bear her away from the Hall.
She wept not—she sighed not: but despair was written on her marble visage—though none present could read that sombre and melancholy language.
"I have directed Flora to accompany you," whispered Lady Ravensworth; "and you can keep her altogether, if you choose. Should the young woman whom you have hired, make her appearance, I will retain her, and give her a trial. But what is her name? I had forgotten to ask you."
Maria gave an answer; but there was such a bustle in the room at the moment and such a confused din of many voices, that the name escaped Adeline's ears.
Sir Cherry at the same instant led Maria towards the stairs; and in a few minutes the carriage, containing the newly-married pair, was rolling away from Ravensworth Hall on its journey to Cherry Park in Essex.
"I wish I was bound on a similar trip with a sixth," thought Mrs. Berrymenny, as she watched from the window the departure of the carriage.
"I wish I could get off my eighth and ninth as easily as the Rossvilles have done with Maria," thought the Countess of Brazenphace. "But I am afraid that the member for Buyemup-cum-Rhino will not bite."