Hereupon, the young divine was under the necessity of hastening back to Neverden, in order to unsay all that he had said concerning Penelope. And when he found Mr Glossop there, and heard from Lady Aimwell a brief narrative of the elopement, he forthwith corroborated, by means of the information which he had received from his cousin, the suspicions which Lady Aimwell had excited in the mind of Mr Glossop. The father of Arabella then became more serious, for this was a matter of grief rather than violent anger. He questioned Mr Pringle very minutely, and Mr Pringle found it necessary to state all that he knew; and it certainly did appear, from the account of the talk between Lord Spoonbill and Mr Erpingham, that the profligate young lord had an intention of deceiving and betraying some confiding one. Mr Pringle was however very anxious that Mr Glossop should not let Lord Spoonbill know from what source he had received his information. “My good sir,” said the agitated father, “assist me in recovering my child, and I will promise you anything.” “I have told you, sir,” replied Mr Pringle, “all that I know; and if on your arrival in London you will call on my relative, he will no doubt be able to direct you where to find Lord Spoonbill.” For this information Mr Glossop was grateful, and he forthwith departed. And they that remained at Neverden rectory began to talk about the strange event, and they all found out that though at first they had been mightily surprised, yet they could not much wonder at it. Then they all made their several but not very various comments on Miss Glossop’s conduct and demeanour. They all agreed that there was a degree of pertness about her which rendered her very disagreeable; and then they found out that she was exactly such a person as would be likely to attract the notice of Lord Spoonbill. So, from beginning with expressions of great astonishment at the elopement, they concluded that they were almost astonished that the young lady had not taken her departure sooner. CHAPTER XV. It is of course taken for granted that the elopement of Miss Glossop was the only subject of conversation all the rest of the day at Neverden and Smatterton; and everybody was mightily shocked at it, save and except the worthy magistrate of Neverden Hall. Sir George Aimwell laughed at his lady’s fears, and Lady Aimwell scowled indignation at her lord and master for his flippant manner of treating so serious a subject. Sir George was very well satisfied that his young kinswoman was in the way to become a countess, and Lady Aimwell was indignant at the disgrace brought upon Neverden Hall by such irregular proceedings.