Nobody else can fight my battles for
me."
"What are you going to do about Mr. Morton?"
"Nothing."
"I saw him talking to you and looking as black as thunder."
"He always looks as black as thunder."
"Is that to be all off? I insist upon having an answer to that
question."
"I believe you fancy, mamma, that a lot of men can be played like a
parcel of chessmen, and that as soon as a knight is knocked on the
head you can take him up and put him into the box and have done
with him."
"You haven't done with Mr. Morton then?"
"Poor Mr. Morton! I do feel he is badly used because he is so
honest. I sometimes wish that I could afford to be honest too and
to tell somebody the downright truth. I should like to tell him the
truth and I almost think I will. `My dear fellow, I did for a time
think I couldn't do better, and I'm not at all sure now that I can.
But then you are so very dull, and I'm not certain that I should
care to be Queen of the English society at the Court of the Emperor
of Morocco! But if you'll wait for another six months, I shall be
able to tell you.' That's what I should have to say to him."
"Who is talking nonsense now, Arabella?"
"I am not. But I shan't say it. And now, mamma, I'll tell you what
we must do."
"You must tell me why also?"
"I can do nothing of the kind.
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