She also told them that it had begun
to rain. Harriet sighed, but indicated to her brother that
he was not responsible.
The carriages came round at a quarter past eight. It
was not raining much, but the night was extraordinarily
dark, and one of the drivers wanted to go slowly to the
station. Miss Abbott came down and said that she was ready,
and would start at once.
"Yes, do," said Philip, who was standing in the hall.
"Now that we have quarrelled we scarcely want to travel in
procession all the way down the hill. Well, good-bye; it's
all over at last; another scene in my pageant has shifted."
"Good-bye; it's been a great pleasure to see you. I
hope that won't shift, at all events." She gripped his hand.
"You sound despondent," he said, laughing. "Don't
forget that you return victorious."
"I suppose I do," she replied, more despondently than
ever, and got into the carriage. He concluded that she was
thinking of her reception at Sawston, whither her fame would
doubtless precede her. Whatever would Mrs. Herriton do?
She could make things quite unpleasant when she thought it
right. She might think it right to be silent, but then
there was Harriet. Who would bridle Harriet's tongue?
Between the two of them Miss Abbott was bound to have a bad
time. Her reputation, both for consistency and for moral
enthusiasm, would be lost for ever.
"It's hard luck on her," he thought. "She is a good
person. I must do for her anything I can.
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