In the Park
This thing that she was doing required an infinite
amount of pluck,—of that sort of hardihood
which we may not quite call courage, but which in
a world well provided with policemen is infinitely
more useful than courage. Lord Rufford himself
was endowed with all the ordinary bravery of an Englishman,
but he could have flown as soon as run into a lion’s
den as Arabella was doing. She had learned that
Lady Penwether and Miss Penge were both at Rufford
Hall, and understood well the difficulty there would
be in explaining her conduct should she find herself
in their presence. And there were all the servants
there to stare at her, and the probability that she
might be shown to the door and told that no one there
would speak to her. She saw it all before her,
and knew how bitter it might be; but her heart was
big enough to carry her through it. She was dressed
very simply, but still by no means dowdily, in a black
silk dress, and though she wore a thick veil when
she got out of the fly and rang the door bell, she
had been at some pains with her hair before she left
the inn. Her purpose was revenge; but still she
had an eye to the possible chance,—the
chance barely possible of bringing the man to submit.
When the door was opened she raised her veil and asked
for Lord Rufford; but as she did so she walked on
through the broad passage which led from the front
door into a wide central space which they called the
billiard-room but which really was the hall of the
house. This she did as a manifesto that she did
not mean to leave the house because she might be told
that he was out or could not be seen, or that he was
engaged. It was then nearly one o’clock,
and no doubt he would be there for luncheon.
Of course he might be in truth away from home, but
she must do her best to judge of that by the servant’s
manner. The man knew her well, and not improbably
had heard something of his master’s danger.
He was, however, very respectful and told her that
his lordship was out in the grounds;— but
that Lady Penwether was in the drawing-room. Then
a sudden thought struck her, and she asked the man
whether he would show her in what part of the grounds
she might find Lord Rufford. Upon that he took
her to the front door and pointing across the park
to a belt of trees, showed her three or four men standing
round some piece of work. He believed, he said,
that one of those men was his lordship.
She bowed her thanks and was descending the steps
on her way to join the group, when whom should she
see but Lady Penwether coming into the house with
her garden-hat and gloves. It was unfortunate;
but she would not allow herself to be stopped by Lady
Penwether. She bowed stiffly and would have passed
on without a word, but that was impossible. “Miss
Trefoil!” said Lady Penwether with astonishment.
“Your brother is just across the park.
I think I see him and will go to him.”
