Valancy returns to her mother's house to let her know she had in fact been married, and had not gone missing.  She bumps into cousin Georgiana on the way who is desperate to tell Valancy that Edward Beck (complete with 9 children) wants to marry her.

“There’s only one obstacle,” said Valancy dreamily. “You see, I’m married already.”

It turns out most of the family are already at her mother's house. So she let's them know the great news. Naturally, they do not take it well, but Valancy only has pity for them. "I am proud that I have achieved a husband by my own unaided efforts," she says.