What's the meaning of
it all?" Then he paused as though he had completed the first part
of his business,--and might now wait awhile till the necessary
explanation had been given. But Lord Rufford did not seem disposed
to give any immediate answer. He shrugged his shoulders, and,
taking up his hat, passed his hand once or twice round the nap.
Lord Augustus opened his eyes very wide as he waited and looked at
the other man; but it seemed that the other man had nothing to say
for himself. "You don't mean to tell me, I suppose, that what my
daughter says isn't true."
"Some unfortunate mistake, Lord Augustus;--most unfortunate."
"Mistake be--." He stopped himself before the sentence was
completed, remembering that such an interview should be conducted
on the part of him, as father, with something of dignity. "I don't
understand anything about mistakes. Ladies don't make mistakes of
that kind. I won't hear of mistakes." Lord Rufford again shrugged
his shoulders. "You have engaged my daughter's affections."
"I have the greatest regard for Miss Trefoil."
"Regard be--." Then again he remembered himself. "Lord Rufford,
you've got to marry her. That's the long and the short of it"
"I'm sure I ought to be proud."
"So you ought"
"But--"
"I don't know the meaning of but, my Lord. I want to know what you
mean to do.
Pages:
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572