The decisive abruptness with which Mary declared her own iniquity almost took away her ladyship’s breath.  She had certainly believed that they were engaged, and had hardly hoped that Mary would deny it; but she had not expected that the crime would be acknowledged, or, at any rate, if acknowledged, that the confession would be made without some show of shame.  On this Lady Arabella could have worked; but there was no such expression, nor was there the slightest hesitation.  ’I am engaged to Frank Gresham,’ and having so said, Mary looked at her visitor full in the face.

’Then it is indeed impossible that you should be received at Greshamsbury.’

’At present, quite so, no doubt:  in saying so, Lady Arabella, you only repeat the answer I made to your first question.  I can now go to Greshamsbury only in one light:  that of Mr Gresham’s accepted daughter-in-law.’

’And that is perfectly out of the question; altogether out of the question, now and for ever.’

’I will not dispute with you about that; but, as I said before, my being at Beatrice’s wedding is not to be thought of.’

Lady Arabella sat for a while silent, that she might meditate, if possible, calmly as to what line of argument she had now better take.  It would be foolish in her, she thought, to return home, having merely expressed her anger.  She had now an opportunity of talking to Mary which might not again occur:  the difficulty was in deciding in what special way she should use the opportunity.  Should she threaten, or should she entreat?  To do her justice, it should be stated, that she did actually believe that the marriage was all but impossible; she did not think that it would take place.  But the engagement might be the ruin of her son’s prospects, seeing how he had before him an imperative, one immediate duty—­that of marrying money.

Having considered all this as well as her hurry would allow her, she determined first to reason, then to entreat, and lastly, if necessary, to threaten.

’I am astonished! you cannot be surprised at that, Miss Thorne:  I am astonished at hearing so singular confession made.’

’Do you think my confession singular, or is it the fact of my being engaged to your son?’

’We will pass over that for the present.  But do let me ask you, do you think it possible, I say possible, that you and Frank should be married?’

‘Oh, certainly; quite possible.’

‘Of course you know that he has not a shilling in the world.’

‘Nor have I, Lady Arabella.’

’Nor will he have were he to do anything so utterly hostile to his father’s wishes.  The property, as you are aware, is altogether at Mr Gresham’s disposal.’

’I am aware of nothing about the property, and can say nothing about it except this, that it has not been, and will not be inquired after by me in this matter.  If I marry Frank Gresham, it will not be for the property.  I am sorry to make such an apparent boast, but you force me to do it.’