Shortly after reading Lady Torrendale's letter, Arbella called upon Matilda at Wood-bine Lodge, but her air was so wild, her countenance so pale and exhausted, that her friend anxiously demanded the cause of her evident agitation of spirits. She threw herself into a chair and after asking for a glass of water, ‘Oh my dear,’ she exclaimed, ‘I have had such a shock; no wonder I look pale; the sight of that man gave me such a turn.’

‘What shock? What man? You look indeed as if you had seen a ghost,’ said Matilda, endeavouring to rally her.

'True, true, indeed, 'tis but the ghost of his former self; yet still interesting. The wretch! I hardly knew him. When just returning home from a long walk with dear Sowerby, who you know is a preacher of exercise in all weathers, a dashing carriage and four, drove furiously past us, and a man bowed to me with the greatest nonchalance: ‘don't you know Captain Fitzroy,’ said Sowerby. He must have perceived by the change in my countenance how much I hated him. He was at my aunt's before us; Sowerby took leave at the door, and my first emotion was, to run up and hide myself, till he should be gone; the sight of him is now become so odious to me; but curiosity, or some other devilish motive, restrained me, and I went into the parlour; I found my aunt so triumphant, and so affairée, and Miss Hautenville (I won't call her Mrs. Fitzroy) so satisfied, and so detestable; and I have been so sick of their servility, and their nonsense, and his affectation, that I / have at length escaped to steal a quiet half hour with you.’