The doctor, when left alone, was not quite satisfied with the part he had taken in the interview.  He had spoken from impulse rather than from judgement, and, as is generally the case with men who do so speak, he had afterwards to acknowledge to himself that he had been imprudent.  He accused himself probably with more violence than he had really used, and was therefore unhappy; but, nevertheless, his indignation was not at rest.  He was angry with himself; but not on that account the less angry with Lady Arabella.  She was cruel of manners, so he thought; but not on that account was he justified in forgetting the forbearance due from a gentleman to a lady.  Mary, moreover, had owed much to the kindness of this woman, and, therefore, Dr Thorne felt that he should have forgiven much.

Thus the doctor walked about his room, much disturbed; now accusing himself for having been so angry with Lady Arabella, and then feeding his own anger by thinking of her misconduct.

The only immediate conclusion at which he resolved was this, that it was unnecessary that he should say anything to Mary on the subject of her ladyship’s visit.  There was no doubt, sorrow enough in store for his darling; why should he aggravate it?  Lady Arabella would doubtless not stop now in her course; but why should he accelerate the evil which she would doubtless be able to effect?

Lady Arabella, when she returned to the house, allowed no grass to grow under her feet.  As she entered the house she desired that Miss Beatrice should be sent to her directly she returned; and she desired also, that as soon as the squire should be in his room a message to that effect might be immediately brought to her.

‘Beatrice,’ she said, as soon as the young lady appeared before her, and in speaking she assumed her firmest tone of authority, ’Beatrice, I am sorry, my dear, to say anything that is unpleasant to you, but I must make it a positive request that you will for the future drop all intercourse with Dr Thorne’s family.’

Beatrice, who had received Lady Arabella’s message immediately on entering the house, and had run upstairs imagining that some instant haste was required, now stood before her mother rather out of breath, holding her bonnet by the strings.

‘Oh, mamma!’ she exclaimed, ‘what on earth has happened?’

‘My dear,’ said the mother, ’I cannot really explain to you what has happened; but I must ask you to give me positive your assurance that you will comply with my request.’

‘You don’t mean that I am not to see Mary any more?’

’Yes, I do, my dear; at any rate, for the present.  When I tell you that your brother’s interest imperatively demands it, I am sure that you will not refuse me.’

Beatrice did not refuse, but she did not appear too willing to comply.  She stood silent, leaning against the end of a sofa and twisting her bonnet-strings in her hand.