Frederica Part VI

Sir William Knighton, a well known doctor arrives to see Felix, but Frederica has found a letter from Charis to say that she has left to get married. Horrified, she manages to go through the doctor's visit, but she is upset that her sister has eloped and probably cant be found before she gets to Gretna Green, because it will cause society people to treat her with disdain. She has sent for Vernon and he comes around with Lady Elizabeth, and says that it may be a 9 days wonder, and that they can think of some tale why the couple were married privately with only a couple of people present. To their surprise, Charles Trevor then appears, and tells them that Charis and Endymion are not married.. so the worst scandal is avoided. He was passing a church that morning and saw Endymion, Harry and Charis going in, so he suspecting a secret marriage was taking place, followed them. He is a clergyman's son, himself but he decided to wait till the bit in the ceremony about having any objection to a marriage, and to intervene. He gets the service stopped and tells the 3 of them that Frederica might not like them get married but if they are determined, it would be better to do it with her knowledge. Endymion's mother also objected to the marriage since Charis is relativley poor and her son is heir to a title. The couple, with CHarles go back to Endymion's house, because he had left a letter for his mother, but Endmion finally loses his temper with his mother and tells her that he loves Charis and he's going to marry her. Charis tries to soothe Mrs Dauntry and in the end she comes round to the marriage. Charles tells Frederica that he thinks she should agree to the marriage, as the couple are in love... Vernon tells her that had Charis not met Endymion, she might have made a better marriage from a material point of view, but she is in love with him, and he does have a fortune of his own, and want to leave the army and breed horses. Frederica says that she is not entirely happy but it seems she must consent or be estranged from her sister. Vernon says that she should give consent and the couple can marry in a few months... but Elizabeth tells him that she is sure it would be best for Frederica to marry first and then Charis can marry. Vernon exasperated by his sister's interfering, finally steps in and proposes to her, and she tells him that she loves him but she could not leave her younger brothers. He tells her that he would not dream of expecting her to give up the younger boys, and that he is more than willing to take them into his home. They will go to school or college and then spend more of thier holidays at ALver Park. The two couples have found happiness and Alverstoke has found a role that will take up his energy, and give him more satisfaction than amusing himself.