He felt that
this made all the difference in the world; so much difference that
no one cognisant in such matters would hold that his assurance,
obtained after such a fashion, meant anything at all. But how was
he to explain this to the lady's mother? "You will admit that such
assurances were given?" continued Lady Augustus.
"Upon my word I don't know. There was a little foolish talk, but it
meant nothing."
"My lord!"
"What am I to say? I don't want to give offence, and I am heartily
sorry that you and your daughter should be under any misapprehension.
But as I sit here there was no engagement between us;--nor, if I must
speak out, Lady Augustus, could your daughter have thought that there
was an engagement."
"Did you not--embrace her?"
"I did. That's the truth."
"And after that you mean to say--"
"After that I mean to say that nothing more was intended." There
was a certain meanness of appearance about the mother which
emboldened him.
"What a declaration to make to the mother of a young lady, and that
young lady the niece of the Duke of Mayfair!"
"It's not the first time such a thing has been done, Lady
Augustus."
"I know nothing about that,--nothing. I don't know whom you may
have lived with. It never was done to her before."
"If I understand right she was engaged to marry Mr.
Pages:
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626