She gave him her hand, but turned her gaze upon Cecilia, saying, “Tell me it is not so! I was never more shocked in my life than when Alfred told me what had occurred last night!”
Almost insensibly the brother and sister drew closer together. “Alfred?” repeated Mr. Rivenhall.
“He told me, when we drove home after the ball, that he could not choose but overhear what Cecilia had said to you, Charles. And Lord Charlbury! I could not believe it to have been possible!”
Loyalty, as much as the ties of affection, kept Mr. Rivenhall ranged on the side of his sister, but he looked to be very much annoyed, which indeed he was, for he thought it inexcusable of Cecilia to have placed him in such a situation. He said repressively, “If you mean that Cecilia and Lord Charlbury ; have made up their minds to it they would not suit, you are I quite correct. I do not know what business it is of Alfred’s, or why he must run to you with what he overhears!”
“My dear Charles, he knows that what concerns your family must be also my concern!”
“I am much obliged to you, but I have no wish to discuss the matter.”
“Excuse me! I must go to my mother!” Cecilia said. She escaped from the room; Miss Wraxton looked significantly at Mr. Rivenhall, and said, “I do not wonder you are vexed. It has been a sadly mismanaged business, and I fancy we have not far to seek for the influence that prompted dear Cecilia to behave in a way so unlike herself!”
“I have not the smallest conjecture as to your meaning.”
His tone, which was forbidding, warned her that she would be wise to turn the subject, but her dislike of Sophy had become such an obsession with her that she was impelled to continue.
“You must have noticed, dear Charles, that our sweet sister has fallen quite under the sway of her cousin. I cannot think it will lead to anything but disaster. Miss Stanton-Lacy doubtless has many excellent qualities, but I have always thought that you were right in saying she had too little delicacy of mind.”