She took in the situation as a whole probably sooner than anybody else, and she instantly made heroic efforts to see more of Marcella, to get her to come oftener to the Court, and in many various ways to procure the poor deluded Aldous more of his betrothed's society.

She paid many chattering and fussy visits to Mellor--visits which chafed Marcella--and before long, indeed, roused a certain suspicion in the girl's wilful mind.
Between Miss Raeburn and Mrs.Boyce there was a curious understanding.
It was always tacit, and never amounted to friendship, still less to intimacy.

But it often yielded a certain melancholy consolation to Aldous Raeburn's great-aunt.

It was clear to her that this strange mother was just as much convinced as she was that Aldous was making a great mistake, and that Marcella was not worthy of him.

But the engagement being there--a fact not apparently to be undone--both ladies showed themselves disposed to take pains with it, to protect it against aggression.