"
"No; but about meeting her? If there is to be no talking, it will be so
very unpleasant. It will be unpleasant to us all, but I am thinking
chiefly of you."
"I do not wish anybody to be disturbed for my comfort." A young woman
coming down to dinner as though in disgrace, and not being spoken to by
any one, would in truth have had rather a soothing effect upon Lord Fawn,
who would have felt that the general silence and dullness had been
produced as a sacrifice in his honour.
"I can, of course, insist that she should apologise; but if she refuses,
what shall I do then?"
"Let there be no more apologies, if you please, mother."
"What shall I do then, Frederic?"
"Miss Morris's idea of an apology is a repetition of her offence with
increased rudeness. It is not for me to say what you should do. If it be
true that she is engaged to that man----"
"It is true, certainly."
"No doubt that will make her quite independent of you, and I can
understand that her presence here in such circumstances must be very
uncomfortable to you all. No doubt she feels her power."
"Indeed, Frederic, you do not know her."
"I can hardly say that I desire to know her better.
Pages:
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455