Mr. Bruff
did not, at that time, feel himself at liberty to inform me of the
motives which had privately influenced Rachel and Godfrey Ablewhite in
recalling the marriage promise, on either side. I troubled him with no
embarrassing questions on this delicate subject. It was relief enough to
me, after the jealous disappointment caused by hearing that she had ever
contemplated being Godfrey's wife, to know that reflection had convinced
her of acting rashly, and that she had effected her own release from her
marriage engagement.
Having heard the story of the past, my next inquiries (still inquiries
after Rachel!) advanced naturally to the present time. Under whose care
had she been placed after leaving Mr. Bruff's house? and where was she
living now?
She was living under the care of a widowed sister of the late Sir John
Verinder--one Mrs. Merridew--whom her mother's executors had requested
to act as guardian, and who had accepted the proposal. They were
reported to me as getting on together admirably well, and as being now
established, for the season, in Mrs. Merridew's house in Portland Place.
Half an hour after receiving this information, I was on my way to
Portland Place--without having had the courage to own it to Mr.
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