" And the
archdeacon as he uttered the threat looked his character as an irate
British father much better than he did his other character as a
clergyman of the Church of England. The archdeacon had been greatly
worsted by Mrs. Proudie, but he was a man who knew how to fight his
battles among men--sometimes without too close a regard to his cloth.
"Had Lord Dumbello intended any such thing he would have written, or
got some friend to write by this time," said Mrs. Grantly. "It is
quite possible that he might wish to be off, but he would be too
chary of his name not to endeavour to do so with decency."
Thus the matter was discussed, and it appeared to them both to be so
serious that the archdeacon resolved to go at once to London. That
Lord Dumbello had gone to France he did not doubt; but he would find
some one in town acquainted with the young man's intentions, and
he would, no doubt, be able to hear when his return was expected.
If there were real reason for apprehension he would follow the
runagate to the Continent, but he would not do this without absolute
knowledge. According to Lord Dumbello's present engagements he was
bound to present himself in August next at Plumstead Episcopi, with
the view of then and there taking Griselda Grantly in marriage; but
if he kept his word in this respect no one had a right to quarrel
with him for going to Paris in the meantime.
Pages:
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812