Then as she was trying to arrange her
countenance and her dress and her voice, so that they might tell on
his feelings, Lord Rufford was announced. "Lady Augustus," said he
at once, beginning the lesson which he had taught himself, "I hope
I see you quite well. I have come here because you have asked me,
but I really don't know that I have anything to say."
"Lord Rufford, you must hear me."
"Oh yes; I will hear you certainly, only this kind of thing is so
painful to all parties, and I don't see the use of it."
"Are you aware that you have plunged me and my daughter into a
state of misery too deep to be fathomed?"
"I should be sorry to think that"
"How can it be otherwise? When you assure a girl in her position in
life that you love her--a lady whose rank is quite as high as your
own--"
"Quite so,--quite so."
"And when in return for that assurance you have received vows of
love from her,--what is she to think, and what are her friends to
think?" Lord Rufford had always kept in his mind a clear
remembrance of the transaction in the carriage, and was well aware
that the young lady's mother had inverted the circumstances, or, as
he expressed it to himself, had put the cart before the horse. He
had assured the young lady that he loved her, and he had also been
assured of her love; but her assurance had come first.
Pages:
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625