You at any rate have
something to do with it all, and I have absolutely nothing."
"That is no reason you shouldn't go in the same carriage with me to
Rufford."
"Are you coming back to that, just like a big child? Do let us
consider that as settled. I'm sure you'll let mamma and me have the
use of the phaeton." Of course the little contest was ended in
the manner proposed by Arabella.
"I do think," said Arabella, when she and her mother were seated in
the carriage, "that we have treated him very badly."
"Quite as well as he deserves! What a house to bring us to; and
what people! Did you ever come across such an old woman before! And
she has him completely under her thumb. Are you prepared to live
with that harridan?"
"You may let me alone, mamma, for all that. She won't be in my way
after I'm married, I can tell you."
"You'll have something to do then."
"I ain't a bit afraid of her."
"And to ask us to meet such people as this American!"
"He's going back to Washington and it suited him to have him. I
don't quarrel with him for that. I wish I were married to him and
back in the States."
"You do?"
"I do."
"You have given it all up about Lord Rufford then?"
"No;--that's just where it is. I haven't given it up, and I still
see trouble upon trouble before me. But I know how it will be.
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