"There is nothing for me to say if you have really made him understand you."
"I think he understood me, mamma. You need not doubt about that."
"He has behaved very, very badly,—from the beginning," said Lady Carbury.
But Hetta did not really think that the young man had behaved very badly from the beginning, and certainly did not wish to be told of his misbehaviour. No doubt she thought that the young man had behaved very well in falling in love with her directly he saw her;—only that he had behaved so badly in taking Mrs. Hurtle to Lowestoft afterwards! "It's no good talking about that, mamma. I hope you will never talk of him any more."
"He is quite unworthy," said Lady Carbury.
"I can't bear to—have him—abused," said Hetta sobbing.
"My dear Hetta, I have no doubt this has made you for the time unhappy. Such little accidents do make people unhappy—for the time. But it will be much for the best that you should endeavour not to be so sensitive about it. The world is too rough and too hard for people to allow their feelings full play. You have to look out for the future, and you can best do so by resolving that Paul Montague shall be forgotten at once."
"Oh, mamma, don't. How is a person to resolve? Oh, mamma, don't say any more."
"But, my dear, there is more that I must say. Your future life is before you, and I must think of it, and you must think of it. Of course you must be married."
"There is no of course at all."