And in addition to all this
prospective grief, there was the trouble of the present moment. He was in
Lizzie's own room--fool that he had been to come there--and he must get
out as best he could. "Lady Eustace," he said, "I am most anxious not to
behave badly in this matter."
"But you are behaving badly--very badly."
"With your leave I will tell you what I would suggest. I will submit to
you in writing my opinion on this matter--" Lord Fawn had been all his
life submitting his opinion in writing, and thought that he was rather a
good hand at the work. "I will then endeavour to explain to you the
reasons which make me think that it will be better for us both that our
engagement should be at an end. If, after reading it, you shall disagree
with me, and still insist on the right which I gave you when I asked you
to become my wife, I will then perform the promise which I certainly
made." To this most foolish proposal on his part, Lizzie of course
acquiesced. She acquiesced, and bade him farewell with her sweetest smile.
It was now manifest to her that she could have her husband, or her
revenge, just as she might prefer.
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