She took him to her home, and her father, who had been prevented by indisposition from attending the meeting, blessed him and made him welcome.
It was very late and George drew Arabella to his side and said he would send for his things.
“Things!” said the Bishop.
“We love each other,” replied George.
“Do you propose to marry this man?” asked the Bishop.
Arabella blushed and explained to George that he must go away until they were married, and the Bishop revealed the meaning of the word.
“But why?” asked George.
“It is so ordained,” said the Bishop, and George was exasperated.
“I love Arabella,” he cried. “What more do you want? And what on earth has it got to do with you or anybody else? I love Arabella, and my love has survived shipwreck, starvation, explosion, battle, murder, and the public festivities of Fatland....”
With extraordinary cynicism the Bishop replied: