"You must also be aware of the rumours going around town about her husband. They say that before he married Vivian, he led a very, very dissolute life … I dread to even think of it, but I suppose that perhaps my dear friend's perpetual busyness is due to his behaviour?" – Miss Salton wrote.
"No, here you are mistaken, my dear Charlotte. I am sure: Vivian is still reeling from the conclusion of a marriage so fortunate for her. Or perhaps she is simply expecting a child? – Anthony smiled, confident in his best friend's integrity. – Yes, Jeremy likes to have fun, but even when he's drunk to death, he wouldn't hurt a mouse… But I think it's time for me to go back to London: Kitty's on the mend, and my love for Charlotte is growing daily, and I won't be at peace until she's my lawful wife.
Having made up his mind to return to London, Anthony cautiously announced his intention to his sick niece. To this Kitty only smiled and said that her sister Victoria had shared with her his secret about Miss Salton. But Anthony took no offence at Victoria: in spite of her seriousness, she was a child. And what was he to be ashamed of?
The only person who was strongly against his departure was Lady Cranford: while Richard and Agnes accepted it calmly and understandingly, his mother reproached him with selfishness all evening and repeated again and again that Alexandra, Agnes's younger sister, was to come to Devry the other day.
– That girl is only coming to meet you! – exclaimed Lady Cranford, walking round her son's chamber, where two maids were packing his things for the journey.
– 'I did not invite her, mother. You did, and here you are making excuses for my absence," said Anthony indifferently. – I am leaving tomorrow morning and taking one of our carriages.
– My carriages, my dear," said the Countess, with an emphasis on the first word, and the phrase made the young man smile disappointedly.
– Your carriages, ma'am," he repeated coldly. – Don't worry, I will ask Richard to give me one of his carriages at once, and both of yours will stay with you.
– Well, why do you punish me so? "Ma'am"! Not Mother! Anthony, you're breaking my heart! – Lady Cranford raised her hands theatrically to heaven and shook her head. – 'And what are you going to do in London?
– To live my life and my home," her son replied. – Now, I must ask you to leave my room.
– I will not leave this place until you tell me that you will give up this ridiculous idea of going back to London! – Lady Cranford said firmly, and crossed her arms over her breast.
– As you wish, ma'am," Anthony grinned mockingly, and left his chambers to find his brother and ask for a carriage, horses, and coachman to take him to the capital.
– Well, all right! Take my carriage! But stop calling me "ma'am"! – he immediately heard his mother's voice behind him.
– Thank you, ma'am. I'll be fine," Anthony said shortly, and paid no attention to the moaning and complaints thrown back at him.
Fortunately, Richard did not persist and gave his brother what he asked without question or condition.
The next morning, after a fervent farewell to his nephews, his brother and his wife, Anthony left for London.
Lady Cranford did not come out to say good-bye to her son, but watched with eyes wet with tears of disappointment as the carriage carried him away from the estate.
