human
Sold again!
gpt
You don't mean that she has refused you, Bob?
human
Oh, don't I? the voice suggested something more than sulkiness.
gpt
If I don't, I'm very much mistaken. She told me that I wasn't what she expected, in a way that implied I was a very poor creature indeed. If that was acceptance, all I can say is, I hope you may be accepted too!
human
Onora, my dearest little one, have you anything to tell me?
gpt
No, mamma; only that he is gone.
human
But you have not sent him away?
gpt
I told him again that I could not marry him.
human
But I thought you cared for him! Lady Cinnamond's regret was not unmixed with indignation.
gpt
When you thought he was dead, you said----
human
I said I couldn't tell, mamma. And I don't like him as much now as I did when I thought he was dead.
gpt
These poor young men! lamented her mother.
human
Then is the unfortunate Mr Gerrard to be made happy at last? Or is it some one else?
gpt
It isn't any one! cried Honour hotly.
human
Is it my fault if they will want to marry me? I am sure I have made it clear to them over and over again that I don't want to marry anybody.
gpt
My child, that is a thing that nothing will make clear to a man, said her mother solemnly--
human
But I don't. Mamma, I never told you, but long ago, more than a year, I lent _Sintram_ to Mr Charteris, without telling him how fond I was of it. He gave it back to me all smelling of smoke, and said that he couldn't make head or tail of it, but it struck him as uncommon silly.
gpt
But, my dear, surely that ought to have warned you that your tastes were not congenial. What can have made you think your feelings had changed?
human
Oh, mamma, I don't know. Honour paused for a moment, then hurried on.
gpt
One doesn't remember that kind of thing when a person is dead, you know. And there seemed to be so many nice points about him that I had never guessed----
human
But which Mr Gerrard brought out? Well, your objection can't apply---- Lady Cinnamond broke off hastily.
gpt
I won't worry you any more to-night, dear.
human
Good-night, mamma. I am sorry I was cross.