Arabella

In the end, it was not until after the middle of February that Arabella set out to accomplish the long journey to London.

Not only had Mme Dupont taken more time to make the necessary gowns than had been anticipated, but there had been many details to arrange besides; and Betsy had not failed to delay preparations by contracting a putrid sore throat and low fever.

It was felt to be typical of her. While Mrs Tallant still had her hands full nursing her, Bertram, succumbing to temptation, took French leave of his books and his papa, and enjoyed a splendid day with the hounds, which culminated in his return to the Parsonage on a farm wagon, with a broken collar-bone.

A gloom was thrown over the house for quite a week by this mishap, because the Vicar was not only vexed, but deeply grieved as well.