"
"I say I have been brought here at a terrible sacrifice for no
purpose whatever. What use is it to be? And then you pretend to
care what this poor man is eating and drinking and what physic he
is taking when, the last time you were in his company, you wouldn't
so much as look at him for fear you should make another man
jealous."
"He was not dying then."
"Psha!"
"Oh yes. I know all that. I do feel a little ashamed of myself when
I am almost crying for him,"
"As if you loved him!"
"Dear mamma, I do own that it is foolish. Having listened to you on
these subjects for a dozen years at least I ought to have got rid
of all that. I don't suppose I do love him. Two or three weeks ago
I almost thought I loved Lord Rufford, and now I am quite sure that
I hate him. But if I heard tomorrow that he had broken his neck out
hunting, I ain't sure but what I should feel something. But he
would not send for me as this man has done."
"It was very impertinent"
"Perhaps it was ill-bred, as he must have suspected something as to
Lord Rufford. However we are here now."
"I will never allow you to drag me anywhere again."
"It will be for yourself to judge of that. If I want to go
anywhere, I shall go. What's the good of quarrelling? You know that
I mean to have my way."
The next morning neither Lady Augustus nor Miss Trefoil came down
to breakfast, but at ten o'clock Arabella was ready, as appointed,
to be taken into the sick man's bedroom.
Pages:
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562