What has that to do with your
asking my daughter to be your wife?"
"But I didn't"
"I say you did,--over and over again." Here Lord Augustus got out
of his chair, and made a little attempt to reach the recreant
lover;--but he failed and fell back again into his armchair. "It
was first at Rufford, and then you made an appointment to meet her
at Mistletoe. How do you explain that?"
"Miss Trefoil is very fond of hunting."
"I don't believe she ever went out hunting in her life before she
saw you. You mounted her,--and gave her a horse,--and took her
out,--and brought her home. Everybody at Mistletoe knew all about
it. My brother and the Duchess were told of it. It was one of those
things that are plain to everybody as the nose on your face. What
did you say to her when you were coming home in that post chaise?"
"She was fainting."
"What has that to do with it? I don't care whether she fainted or
not. I don't believe she fainted at all. When she got into that
carriage she was engaged to you, and when she got out of it she was
engaged ever so much more. The Duchess knew all about it. Now what
have you got to say?" Lord Rufford felt that he had nothing to say.
"I insist upon having an answer."
"It's one of the most unfortunate mistakes that ever were made."
"By G--!" exclaimed Lord Augustus, turning his eyes up against the
wall, and appealing to some dark ancestor who hung there.
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