"We settled it all among ourselves, you know,"
she said. "We were to dance only once, just to set the people off."
He still persisted, but she still refused, alleging that she was
bound by the general compact; and though he was very urgent she
would not yield. "I wonder how you can ask me," she said. "You
don't suppose that after what has occurred I can have any pleasure
in dancing." Upon this he asked her to take a turn with him through
the rooms, and to that she found herself compelled to assent. Then
he spoke out to her. "Arabella," he said, "I am not quite content
with what has been going on since we came to this house."
"I am sorry for that."
"Nor, indeed, have I been made very happy by all that has occurred
since your mother and you did me the honour of coming to Bragton."
"I must acknowledge you haven't seemed to be very happy, Mr.
Morton."
"I don't want to distress you;--and as far as possible I wish to
avoid distressing myself. If it is your wish that our engagement
should be over, I will endeavour to bear it. If it is to be
continued, I expect that your manner to me should be altered"
"What am I to say?"
"Say what you feel."
"I feel that I can't alter my manner, as you call it."
"You do wish the engagement to be over then?"
"I did not say so. The truth is, Mr. Morton, that there is some
trouble about the lawyers.
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