End of the Secret Marriage

Upon her stubborn brow alone
Nor ruth nor mercy's trace is shown,
Her look is hard and stern.

--Scott.

After the departure of Nora Worth Mrs. Brudenell seated herself upon the
sofa, leaned her elbow upon the little stand at her side, bowed her head
upon her hand and fell into deep thought. Should she speak to Herman
Brudenell of this matter? No! it was too late; affairs had gone too far;
they must now take their course; the foolish girl's fate must be on her
own head, and on that of her careless elder sister; they would both be
ruined, that was certain; no respectable family would ever employ either
of them again; they would starve. Well, so much the better; they would
be a warning to other girls of their class, not to throw out their nets
to catch gentlemen! Herman had been foolish, wicked even, but then young
men will be young men; and then, again, of course it was that artful
creature's fault! What could she, his mother, do in the premises? Not
speak to her son upon the subject, certainly; not even let him know that
she was cognizant of the affair! What then? She was going away with her
daughters in a day or two! And good gracious, he would be left alone in
the house! to do as he pleased! to keep bachelor's hall! to bring that
girl there as his housekeeper, perhaps, and so desecrate his sacred,
patrimonial home! No, that must never be! She must invite and urge her
son to accompany herself and his sisters to Washington. But if he should
decline the invitation and persist in his declination, what then? Why,
as a last resort, she would give up the Washington campaign and remain
at home to guard the sanctity of her son's house.