“I never credited Cecilia with so much good sense! If she had had enough to prevent her, and you, from setting forth upon an expedition which was as needless as it was meddlesome, I should be even more grateful! You have for once in your life been thoroughly at fault, Eugenia! Let it be a lesson to you to be a little less busy in future!”
Those best acquainted with Mr. Rivenhall’s powers of self-expression would have considered this speech a very mild reproof. Miss Wraxton, in whose presence he had hitherto most meticulously guarded his tongue, could scarcely believe her ears.
“Charles!” she uttered, outraged.
“Did you imagine that you would make me believe ill of Sophy with your foolish and spiteful letter?” he demanded. “You have tried to set me against her from the outset, but you overreached yourself today, my girl! How dared you write in such terms to me? How could you have been so crassly stupid as to suppose that Sophy could ever need your countenance to set her right in the eyes of the world, or that I would believe one word of slander against her?”
“Sir!” said Lord Bromford, with as much dignity as could be expected of a man with both feet in a mustard bath. “You shall answer to me for those words!”
“Certainly! When and where you please!” replied Mr. Rivenhall, with alarming promptitude.
“I beg you will not heed him, Lord Bromford!” cried Miss Wraxton, much agitated. “He is beside himself! If a meeting were to take place between you on my account I could never hold up my head again! Pray be calm! I am sure your pulse is tumultuous, and how shall I ever face dear Lady Bromford?”
He clasped her restraining hand and held it, saying in a moved voice, “Too good, too excellent creature! With all your attainments, your scholarship, still to retain those attributes peculiar to your womanhood! I cannot but think of the poet’s lines — ”
“Take care!” interpolated Mr. Rivenhall disagreeably. “You thought of them in connection with my cousin, and it won’t do to repeat yourself !”
“Sir!” said Lord Bromford, glaring at him. “I was about to say that Miss Wraxton has shown herself in very sooth — ”