Though long anticipated, this was a bitter blow, Catherine strove not to check the master-feeling which had now taken possession of her whole thought and being, for she knew that was impossible; but, in the purity of her heart, she felt she could love on—­more tranquilly, more calmly, now that all hope was abandoned, than when it was nursed in suspense.  Deprived of Herbert’s presence, she would love him as an imagined, ever-remembered being—­an abstraction, of which, the embodiment was dead to her for ever.  With this new said consolatory sensation she determined, without a tear, never to encounter his real presence again.  She wrote him a note to that effect, and, accompanied by her father, went immediately to London.

Herbert was frantic.  He upbraided his mother with unfilial earnestness.  He appealed to his father, who consoled him by saying he was sorry that, as he always left these matters to his mother’s management, he could not interfere; adding, that so far as he was a judge, the Lady Elizabeth Plympton was an uncommonly fine young woman.

After calm consideration, Herbert made up his mind as to what he should do.  The estate was entailed; that made him comparatively independent; and he would endeavour, as well as his impetuous passion would allow, to live on in the hope that at length his mother would give her consent, and that Catherine would retract her determination.  In pursuance of this plan, he apologised to his mother for his previous wrath, and treated Lady Elizabeth, during the remainder of her visit, with politeness; but it was a studied, constrained, and ironical sort of courtesy, which pained the unoffending but humbled beauty much more than overt rudeness.  When the young lady was about to depart, he surprised his mother by the gallant offer of accompanying her and their visitor to her father’s, near Plymouth.

These favourable symptoms Mrs Hardman reported to Dodbury, who, seeing his daughter’s perfect resignation, thought it might be not imprudent to return home, especially as young Hardman was to remain at the Earl of Plympton’s for a few weeks.  He, however, carefully concealed the apparent attachment of Lady Elizabeth from his daughter.  Accordingly they returned to their home, Catherine appearing but a slight degree saddened and changed in spirit.  A feverish languor, however, of which she neglected to complain or to ask medical advice for, was making inroads on her health.

Mrs Hardman, after staying a week at the earl’s, returned, congratulating herself on the seeming change which was gradually creeping over her son’s sentiments.  She allowed him to remain a month unquestioned; but after that time, family matters required Herbert’s presence at Coote-down, and she wrote, desiring him to come home.  To her surprise, her letter was returned unopened, franked by the earl.  Herbert must have left Plympton Court then, and would doubtless be home in the course of the day.