“There is not a doubt of it. Moreover, the formality of making application to your father for permission to address you is quite antiquated, and we shall do well to dispense with it. If some little feeling still exists in the minds of old-fashioned persons against marrying minors out of hand, it need not concern us, after all.”
“N-no,” agreed Arabella, rather doubtfully. “Do you think people will—will be very much shocked, sir?”
“No,” said Mr. Beaumaris, with perfect truth. “No one will be in the least shocked. When would you like to elope?”
“Would tomorrow be too soon?” asked Arabella anxiously.
Mr. Beaumaris might wish that his love would give him her confidence, but it would have been idle to have denied that he was hugely enjoying himself. Life with Arabella would contain few dull moments; and although her estimate of his morals was unflattering enough to have discomposed any man of sensibility it left his withers unwrung, since he was well-aware that her assumption of his readiness to behave in so improper a fashion sprang from an innocence which he found enchanting. He replied with great promptness: “Not a moment too soon! But for the recollection that there are one or two preparations which perhaps I should make I should have suggested that we should leave this building together at once.”
“No, that would be impossible,” said Arabella seriously. “In fact—I do not know very much about such things, but I cannot but feel that it will be excessively difficult for me to escape from Park Street without anyone’s knowing! For I must carry a valise with me, at least, besides my dressing-case, and how may it be contrived? Unless I crept out at dead of night, of course, but it would have to be very late indeed, for the porter always waits up for Lord Bridlington to come in. And I might fall asleep,” she added candidly.
“I have a constitutional dislike of eloping at dead of night,” said Mr. Beaumaris firmly. “Such exploits entail the use of rope-ladders, I am credibly informed, and the thought of being surprised perhaps by the Watch in the very act of throwing this up to your window I find singularly unnerving.”
“Nothing,” said Arabella, “would prevail upon me to climb down a rope-ladder! Besides, my bedroom is at the back of the house.”
“Perhaps,” said Mr. Beaumaris, “you had better leave me to make the necessary arrangements.”
“Oh, yes!” responded Arabella gratefully. “I am sure you will know just how it should be contrived!”