"Because he wouldn't what?" asked Brooke. "What ought he to have done that he didn't do?"
"I don't know anything about ought," said Camilla. "That's a matter of taste altogether."
"I'm the worst hand in the world at a riddle," said Brooke.
"How sly you are," continued Camilla, laughing; "as if dear Aunt Stanbury hadn't confided all her hopes to you."
"Camilla, dear,—don't," said Arabella.
"But when a gentleman is hunted, and can't be caught, I don't think he ought to be abused to his face."
"But who hunted him, and who abused him?" asked Brooke.
"Mind, I don't mean to say a word against Miss Stanbury, Mr. Burgess. We've known her and loved her all our lives;—haven't we, mamma?"
"And respected her," said Arabella.
"Quite so," continued Camilla. "But you know, Mr. Burgess, that she likes her own way."