"
"I don't want to wear them," said Lizzie.
"Then why should you desire to keep them?"
"Because they are my own. Because I do not choose to be put upon. Because
I will not allow such a cunning old snake as Mr. Camperdown to rob me of
my property. They are my own, and you should defend my right to them."
"Do you mean to say that you will not oblige me by doing what I ask you?"
"I will not be robbed of what is my own," said Lizzie.
"Then I must declare"--and now Lord Fawn spoke very slowly--"then I must
declare that under these circumstances, let the consequences be what they
may, I must retreat from the enviable position which your favour has given
me." The words were cold and solemn, and were ill-spoken; but they were
deliberate, and had been indeed actually learned by heart.
"What do you mean?" said Lizzie, flashing round upon him.
"I mean what I say, exactly. But perhaps it may be well that I should
explain my motives more clearly."
"I don't know anything about motives, and I don't care anything about
motives. Do you mean to tell me that you have come here to threaten me
with deserting me?"
"You had better hear me.
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