‘She had such pleasure in writing it,’ said Priscilla, ’that one ought hardly to begrudge it her.’  The blackest spot in the character of Priscilla Stanbury was her hatred for her aunt in Exeter.  She knew that her aunt had high qualities, and yet she hated her aunt.  She was well aware that her aunt was regarded as a shining light by very many good people in the county, and yet she hated her aunt.  She could not but acknowledge that her aunt had been generous to her brother, and was now very generous to her sister, and yet she hated her aunt.  It was now a triumph to her that her aunt had fallen into so terrible a quagmire, and she was by no means disposed to let the sinning old woman easily out of it.

‘It is as pretty a specimen,’ she said, ’as I ever knew of malice and eaves-dropping combined.’

‘Don’t use such hard words, my dear.’

‘Look at her words to us,’ said Priscilla.  ’What business has she to talk to you about the credit of the family and abominable disgrace?  You have held your head up in poverty, while she has been rolling in money.’

‘She has been very good to Hugh and now to Dorothy.’

’If I were Dorothy I would have none of her goodness.  She likes some one to trample on some one of the name to patronise.  She shan’t trample on you and me, mamma.’

Then there was a discussion as to what should be done; or rather a discourse in which Priscilla explained what she thought fit to do.  Nothing, she decided, should be said to Mrs Trevelyan on the subject; but an answer should be sent to Aunt Stanbury.  Priscilla herself would write this answer, and herself would sign it.  There was some difference of opinion on this point, as Mrs Stanbury thought that if she might be allowed to put her name to it, even though Priscilla should write it, the wording of it would be made, in some degree, mild to suit her own character.  But her daughter was imperative, and she gave way.

‘It shall be mild enough in words,’ said Priscilla, ‘and very short.’

Then she wrote her letter as follows: 

’Nuncombe Putney, August 1, 186-.

Dear Aunt Stanbury,

You have found a mare’s nest.  The gentleman you speak of has never been here at all, and the people who bring you news have probably hoaxed you.  I don’t think that mamma has ever disgraced the family, and you can have no reason for thinking that she ever will.  You should, at any rate, be sure of what you are saying before you make such cruel accusations,

Yours truly,

’Priscilla Stanbury.

P.S.  Another gentleman did call here not to see Mrs Trevelyan; but I suppose mamma’s house need not be closed against all visitors.’

Poor Dorothy had passed evil hours from the moment in which her aunt had so far certified herself as to Colonel Osborne’s visit to Nuncombe as to make her feel it to be incumbent on her to interfere.  After much consideration Miss Stanbury had told her niece the dreadful news, and had told also what she intended to do.  Dorothy, who was in truth horrified at the iniquity of the fact which was related, and who never dreamed of doubting the truth of her aunt’s information, hardly knew how to interpose.  ‘I am sure mamma won’t let there be anything wrong,’ she had said.