Her ride had done her good, her sensation of bodily lassitude and mental stupidity had been driven off by the active exercise which had produced a more wholesome kind of fatigue, and the temper which tended to discontent had partly gone with them, partly been chased away by reflection in a right spirit. As she was entering the park, Elliot, also on horseback, came up in time to profit by the same opening of the gate.
'Are you but just come home, Marian?' said he, 'I thought I was very late.'
'I don't know what o'clock it is, but I see the sun is getting low.'
'Have not you been at High Down?'
'No, I have been to Beacon Hill.'
'To Beacon Hill! That _is_ a ride! And you have not seen any of them since they came home?'
'No, I have been out all the afternoon.'
'Well, I have a notion you will have something to hear. I dare say you have some idea. Catch a young lady not up to a thing like that.'
A cold horror and disgust came over Marian, and she would not make a single inquiry, but Elliot went on.
'So you will ask no questions? I believe you are in the secret the whole time.'
'No, I am not.'
'No? You will never persuade me that you are not. Why, what else can you ladies sit up half the night talking about in your bed rooms?'
Marian despised him too much to deny.
'Then do you really mean to profess,' said Elliot, turning full towards her, so as to look her in the face in what she deemed an impertinent way, 'that you cannot guess the news that is waiting for you?'
For once in her life she could not say 'I don't know,' and her answer was a very cold 'I believe I do;' while in the meantime she was almost feeling, and quite looking, as if she could have cut off his bead. His disagreeableness was the one present pain, but behind it was undefined consternation, for she perceived that, at any rate, he did not think Caroline had refused Mr. Faulkner.
'You keep your congratulations till it is formally announced,' said he maliciously, still looking at her, though few save himself could have failed to be abashed by the firm, severe expression of her dark eyes, and lips compressed into all the sternness of the Queen of Olympus.
Happily they were so close to the house that Marian, who would not deign a reply, could avoid him without absolute rudeness. She threw her rein to the groom, and sprung to the ground before Elliot had time to offer his assistance, then ran hastily across the hall just as Clara was coming out of the drawing-room.
'Why, Elliot!' cried Clara meeting her brother, 'you have not been riding with Marian?'
'With Marian? No, I thank you! I only met with her at the gate, and have been spoiling your market.'
'You don't mean that you have been telling her?' cried Clara; 'O I wanted to have been first.'
'Precious little thanks you'll get!' said Elliot; but Clara, without attending to him, flew up stairs after Marian, who had reached her room, and while Fanny was endeavouring to get her dressed in time for dinner, was trying to collect her dismayed thoughts. She would not believe Caroline so foolish, nay, so wicked as to accept him, yet if it could possibly be true, what in the world should she say or do which way should she look, or how should she answer? In the midst of her first confusion in danced Clara, with a face full of delight at having something to tell, then looking blank at Fanny's presence.
