The section closes with the announcement of the engagement in the morning papers two days later, and a survey of the varied reactions across the families’ social circle: Louisa is triumphant, Alicia worries Constance will be spoiled by wealth, Shotover vows to watch over his little sister, Honoria St. Quentin is distressed and avoids Ludovic, Lady Dorothy Hellard calls the match romantic, the Dowager Lady Combmartin dismisses it as a practical bargain where the bride gets the better deal, Mr. Decies takes furious rides in Hyde Park to work off his disappointment, Julius March mourns the end of Brockhurst’s quiet life, Mrs. Chifney the stable keeper rejoices, Sandyfield parish anticipates wedding celebrations, and Helen de Vallorbes cuts off contact with Richard, a silence he welcomes as he focuses on preparing for his marriage to Constance. Richard’s happiness is briefly tested when he waits for Constance to join him in the library after a family lunch, frustrated by his inability to go to her as he listens to an organ grinder and the roar of London traffic, but his doubts fade when Constance arrives, nervous and gauche, and he gives her a multi-stone necklace to replace one he accidentally frightened her with earlier when he stood up, revealing his deformity. Her gentle, dutiful nature softens his lingering frustrations, and he leaves their meeting more in love with her than ever.
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第六章 – CHAPTER IX
The sequence opens in late July with the final arrangements for the wedding of Sir Richard Calmady, Bart., to Lady Constance Quayle, fixed for the first week of August at the private chapel of Brockhurst, the Calmady seat, rather than at the parish church at Whitney. Lord Fallowfeild, the bride’s father, confessed to his confidant Lord Shotover that he was uneasy about the hole-and-corner quality of the match but had given way to Lady Calmady. The household accordingly moved down to Brockhurst, while Richard remained in Lowndes Square under brown holland covers in company with his intended.
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