Once invited to Rufford Hall Arabella, though still formally engaged to John Morton, identifies the wealthy unmarried Lord Rufford as a far more desirable husband and deliberately encourages his attention through hunting, flirtation, and the social intimacy of the house party until she convinces herself that his behavior amounts to a serious declaration, although Rufford enjoys her company without any intention of accepting the responsibilities she expects, while Mary Masters remains under strong pressure to marry Lawrence Twentyman and acknowledges his goodness but cannot overcome the absence of love, asking for more time as her feelings for Reginald become increasingly clear to herself, and after leaving Rufford Hall Arabella attempts to preserve her hold over Rufford through correspondence while Senator Gotobed continues recording his critical impressions of English customs, allowing the romantic pursuit and the outsider’s examination of English society to grow increasingly contentious.
