Marcella was provided for.

Not the fondest or most contriving mother could have done more for her than she had at one stroke done for herself.

During the early autumn Mrs.Boyce had experienced some moments of sharp prevision as to what her future relations might be towards this strong and restless daughter, so determined to conquer a world her mother had renounced.

Now all was clear, and a very shrewd observer could allow her mind to play freely with the ironies of the situation.
As to Aldous Raeburn, she had barely spoken to him before the day when Marcella announced the engagement, and the lover a few hours later had claimed her daughter at the mother's hands with an emotion to which Mrs.
Boyce found her usual difficulty in responding.

She had done her best, however, to be gracious and to mask her surprise that he should have proposed, that Lord Maxwell should have consented, and that Marcella should have so lightly fallen a victim.