Now here we are very sorry that some of our readers must necessarily be grievously disappointed, inasmuch as at the announcement of Mr Glossop’s appearance they have made up their minds to find the worthy gentleman in a most tremendous passion, and raving and roaring without mercy. But he really was much more cool than might have been expected. He had received his information of the particulars of the young lady’s departure from Sir George Aimwell, and the baronet had so represented the case, and so spoken of Lord Spoonbill, that Mr Glossop was of the baronet’s opinion, that his lordship only meditated a private marriage, and that the elopement was for that object. Mr Glossop had so great a reverence for nobility, that he was content to suffer his fair daughter to creep up to the dignity of nobility by means of the undignified step of elopement. The presence of this gentleman made an alteration in the discussions, and gave them something of a more definite direction. Now, it is very strange, though as very true, that Lady Aimwell had been full of concern under the apprehension of Mr Glossop’s possible and highly probable indignation; and one source of her grief was the thought of the gentleman’s violent anger; but when the gentleman made his appearance and was perfectly, or at least comparatively cool, then did her ladyship feel very much shocked, and even offended that he was not in a passion. It is absolutely impossible to please some people. When Lady Aimwell found that Mr Glossop’s calmness arose from the conversation which he had had with the worthy baronet, her ladyship launched out into most eloquent vituperation of Lord Spoonbill, as a gay deceiver and a most profligate young man; and so far did her ladyship’s indignation transport her that she did all but explicitly assert that no marriage, public or private, was contemplated, either by Lord Spoonbill or the young lady. This was of course enough to rouse Mr Glossop from his composure, and at all events to prompt him to pursue the fugitives with as much speed as possible. For the purpose of this pursuit he very speedily took leave of the party at Neverden rectory, and was preparing to set out on his journey for London, when the rector of Smatterton returned to Neverden, and in great haste begged to speak to Mr Darnley. Mr Pringle, it appeared, had on his return to Smatterton been greeted with the information of Miss Glossop’s elopement with Colonel Crop, and though no daily newspaper was published at Smatterton, stories, tales, and calumnies were circulated with great rapidity, and everybody knew everything about everybody. By the story of this elopement, the reverend divine was puzzled. Had he heard that Miss Primrose had fled with the colonel, he would not have been astonished; and nothing could persuade him that he had not been misinformed, till he saw Miss Primrose herself.