There must be some end of her living at Fawn Court. So much Lucy told
herself over and over again. It could be but a temporary measure. If--if
it was to be her fate to be taken away from Fawn Court a happy, glorious,
triumphant bride, then the additional obligation put upon her by her dear
friends would not be more than she could bear. But to go to Fawn Court,
and, by degrees, to have it acknowledged that another place must be found
for her, would be very bad. She would infinitely prefer any intermediate
hardship. How, then, should she know? As soon as she was able to escape
from the countess, she went up to her own room, and wrote the following
letter. She studied the words with great care as she wrote them--sitting
and thinking before she allowed her pen to run on the paper.
"MY DEAR FRANK: It is a long time since we met--is it not? I do not write
this as a reproach, but because my friends tell me that I should not
continue to think myself engaged to you. They say that, situated as you
are, you cannot afford to marry a penniless girl, and that I ought not to
wish you to sacrifice yourself. I do understand enough of your affairs to
know that an imprudent marriage may ruin you, and I certainly do not wish
to be the cause of injury to you.
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