Thereupon Lady Dunquerque herself went up to his room. The two girls looked at each other with apprehension. Algy was hot-headed: he had already, though not before his mother, made use of very strong language about his bride; could he be meditating some disobedience? Horrible! And the guests all invited, and the day arrived, and the boy’s wedding outfit actually ready!
‘What did he say, papa?’ one of them asked.
I cannot tell you, my dear. I wash my hands of it. Your mother must bring him to reason. I have done my best.’ Sir Robert answered in a nervous trembling manner not usual with him.
‘Does he ... does he ... express any unwillingness?’ asked his daughter.
‘My dear, he says nothing shall make him marry the lady. That is all. The day arrived and everything. No power on earth, he says, shall make him marry the lady. That is all. What will come to us if her ladyship cannot make him hear reason, I dare not think.’
Just then Lady Dunquerque returned. Her husband, trembling visibly, dared not lift his eyes.
‘My dear girls,’ she said, with the calmness of despair, ‘we are disgraced for ever. The boy refuses to move. He disregards threats entreaties, everything. I have appealed to his obedience, to his religion, to his honour—all is of no avail. Go yourselves, if you can. Now, Sir Robert, if you have anything to advise, let me hear it.’
‘I can advise nothing,’ said her husband, quite overwhelmed with this misfortune. ‘Who could have thought that a——’
‘Yes—yes,—it is of no use lamenting. What are we to do? Heavens! there are the church bells again!’
Meantime his sisters were with Algernon. They found him sitting grim and determined. Never before had they seen that expression of determination upon a man’s face. He absolutely terrified them.