“But think, Herminia! What will the world say?”
“Everything that is sayable, aunt; but what matter?”
“But where must we live, Herminia?”
“In some small house or cottage suitable to our humble circumstances, sure.”
“And how are we to find such place? And how if no such place is to be had, child?”
“Fie, aunt! Remember thou’rt a duchess and can do anything! You have hosts of servants, mostly idle.’ There is old Hammond, your head courier, reliable and trustworthy; let this be his duty.... A cottage in or near Alfriston.... ’Faith, shalt write to him at once!”
So, after due consideration, the Duchess sat down to write forthwith, while my lady hurried away, busied with a thousand concerns; and presently to the Duchess came Mrs. Betty in exclamatory excitement:
“O mam, your Grace, and is’t true indeed that we be a-leaving town, my lady?”
“Yes, Betty. I am taking your lady away to get her married.”
“Married, mem? Lord save us all alive ... my lady—married? O my lady—who to?”