human
said her aunt,
gpt
Do you think--do you mean that Mr. Bragg would turn Owen away, out of spite?
human
We need not employ such a word as that. But Mr. Bragg made you an offer of marriage, and we can hardly expect him to find it pleasant when he is told 'the young lady refused you in order to marry your clerk.'
gpt
Not 'in order to----' You know I have assured you that under no circumstances would I have married Mr. Bragg.
human
Yes, May; you have assured me so. But you are not yet nineteen; and I--alas!--was nineteen more than nineteen years ago. It struck me that Mr. Rivers was desirous that you should take your full share of responsibility in the matter. And he seemed a little anxious about his place. At all events he brought forward the salary he is earning with Mr. Bragg as an important element in the financial budget with which he favoured me. (How the man could think for a moment that your family would consent!) I gathered that he was decidedly unwilling to lose it.
gpt
He only took it for my sake.
human
Ah! That was particularly kind of him. Well, it strikes me that he would now like to keep it for his own. Of course I must write to your father. I presume you will admit that it is proper to inform him of the state of the case?
gpt
You can write if you choose, Aunt Pauline. It will make no difference, _now_.
human
I think you will find it will make a considerable difference! Circumstances have entirely altered your father's position in the world. You will be daughter and heiress to a peer of the realm.