"I am very much concerned," he repeated, feeling sympathy safer than

reasoning. "If I could have guessed his intentions, I would have tried

to spare you this; at least the suddenness of it. I could not have

guessed at such presumptuous expectations on so short an acquaintance."

"He did not expect me to answer at once," said Fanny. "He said he only

meant to let me know his hopes in coming here. And, oh, that's the worst

of it! He won't believe me, though I said more to him than I thought

I could have said to anybody! I told him," said Fanny, with her hands

clasped over her knee to still her trembling, "that I cared for my

dear, dear husband, and always shall--always--and then he talked about

waiting, just as if anybody could leave off loving one's husband! And

then when he wanted me to consider about my children, why then I told

him"--and her voice grew passionate again--"the more I considered, the

worse it would be for him, as if I would have my boys know me without

their father's name; and, besides, he had not been so kind to you that

I should wish to let him have anything to do with them! I am afraid I

ought not to have said that," she added, returning to something of her

meek softness; "but indeed I was so angry, I did not know what I was

about. I hope it will not make him angry with you."

"Never mind me," said Colonel Keith, kindly. "Indeed, Lady Temple, it

is a wonderful compliment to you that he should have been ready to

undertake such a family."

"I don't want such compliments! And, oh!" and here her eyes widened with

fright, "what shall I do? He only said my feelings did me honour, and he

would be patient and convince me. Oh, Colonel Keith, what shall I do?"

and she looked almost afraid that fate and perseverance would master her

after all, and that she should be married against her will.

"You need do nothing but go on your own way, and persist in your

refusal," he said in the calm voice that always reassured her.

"Oh, but pray, pray never let him speak to me about it again!"

"Not if I can help it, and I will do my best. You are quite right, Lady

Temple. I do not think it would be at all advisable for yourself or

the children, and hardly for himself," he added, smiling. "I think the

mischief must all have been done by that game at whist."

"Then I'll never play again in my life! I only thought he was an old

man that wanted amusing--." Then as one of the children peeped in at the

window, and was called back--"O dear! how shall I ever look at Conrade

again, now any one has thought I could forget his father?"




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