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Bell liked Miss Whichello as much as she disliked Mrs Pansey, therefore she greeted her with unfeigned pleasure, although she could not help expressing her surprise that the visitor was in that quarter of the town so late at night. Miss Whichello produced a parcel from under her voluminous cloak and offered it as an explanation of her presence.
As Miss Whichello moved off with her two guests, Mrs Pansey exclaimed in a loud voice, 'Poor young men! Luncheon indeed! They will be starved. I know for a fact that she weighs out the food in scales. Then, having had the last word, she went home in triumph. The little lady trotted briskly across the square, and guided her guests to a quaint old house squeezed into one corner of it.
She knew quite well that Miss Whichello was speaking the truth about the marriage, and that none of her own inventions could stand against the production of the certificate. Moreover, she could not battle against the Bishop of Beorminster, or risk a realisation of Miss Whichello's threat to have her into court.
Still, you need not scruple to wear it, dearest, for your aunt and my mother are both agreed that you will make me the sweetest of wives. 'Aunty is always urging me to ask you to tell your father. 'Then you can inform her that I'll do so next why, here is your aunt, my dear. 'Aunty! cried Mab, as Miss Whichello, like a little white ghost, moved into the room. 'I thought your head was so bad.
Bell wondered if Mrs Pansey had been at work coupling her name with that of Gabriel's, and whether Miss Whichello had come down to relieve her conscience by warning her against seeing too much of the curate.
By this time Miss Whichello was seated in a little private parlour off the bar, illuminated by an oil-lamp. This Bell turned up, and then she noticed that her visitor looked anxious and ill at ease. Once or twice she attempted to speak, but closed her mouth again.
'I think a word in season will do you no harm, answered his father, austerely, 'but I shall address myself to George first. 'I am all attention, sir, said the captain, rather weary of this solemnity. 'What have I done? 'You have concealed from me the fact of your engagement to Miss Arden. 'Oh! cried George, smiling, 'so Miss Whichello has been speaking!
'My unfortunate sister Annie did run away, but she was married to her lover on the very day she left our house in London, and my darling Mab is as legitimate as your son George, Dr Pendle. The bishop winced at this unlucky illustration. 'Have you a proof of this marriage, Miss Whichello? he asked, with a glance at the papers.
Your niece shall marry my son; be assured of that. It is foolish to rake up the past, added the bishop, with a sigh. 'I must rake up the past; I must tell you the truth, said Miss Whichello, in firm tones, 'if only to put a stop to Mrs Pansey's evil tongue. What did she say, bishop? 'Really, really, my dear lady, I 'Bishop, tell me what she said about my sister. I will know.
Whether the good lady meant to indicate Miss Whichello by the second name, Mr Cargrim did not stay to inquire, as he was in a hurry to see her himself and find out why she had visited the dead-house. He therefore bowed and smiled himself out of Mrs Pansey's gaol, and walked as rapidly as he was able to the little house in the shadow of the cathedral towers.
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