He returned to the box a few minutes before Adrian let Arabella back to it. One glance at the two ladies was enough to assure him that it was not Miss Grantham who had suffered discomfiture. Lady Mablethorpe was looking crushed, and the glance she cast up at her nephew was one of pathetic entreaty.
She had sustained the most shattering half-hour of her life. She had subjected Miss Grantham to a catechism which had been intended to show that young woman how very far she stood from Adrian, and how very uncomfortable she would feel in Polite Society. It had apparently failed in this laudable object. Miss Grantham had replied with the greatest readiness and the most appalling frankness, to all the searching question put to her. She had remained throughout wholly oblivious to the most patent disapproval. She had been voluble, expansive, and shockingly vulgar; had confessed to a passion for all form of gaming; described in quite imaginary detail the events of several horse-races she said she had attended; and expressed desire to set up a select faro-bank in Brook Street. She had also ogled several bucks who had strolled past the box, and had claimed intimate acquaintance with three of the most notorious rakes in town. Her ladyship felt herself to be passing through a nightmare, and hailed the return of her nephew wit heartfelt relief. Miss Grantham assured him that she and Lad Mablethorpe were now the greatest of friends.
He received this information with raised brows, smiled slightly, and turned to address some idle remark to his aunt. Adrian and Arabella then came back to the box, and the two parties separated.
“How could you tell me she was not vulgar!” was all he ladyship could at first bring herself to say, and that in accents of bitter reproach.
“I told you the truth. She was not vulgar when I met her. Her manner tonight was certainly assumed.”
“Assumed! In heaven’s name why, if she wishes to win my consent to the match?”
“I am reasonably sure that she has no such wish. There is no doubt her way of trying to force up the price ma’am.”
“Whatever it is it must be paid!” said her ladyship, in great agitation.
“Whatever it is it shall not be paid!” said Mr Ravenscar. “Oh, don’t put yourself in a taking, my dear aunt! I shan’t let her marry Adrian!”
“How he could-!” she shuddered. “Look at her now! Look at that dreadful woman with her!”