“Ridiculous! It will last longer than that. Oh!”
“Well?”
“We mustnt go, after all. I forgot you.”
“What of me?”
“Where will you go when I am married? You cant live by yourself; and papa may not welcome you back if you take my part against him.”
“He would not, in any case; so it makes no difference to me. I can go home if the worst comes to the worst. It does not matter: my present luxurious existence must come to an end some time or another, whether we go to Mrs. Toplis’s or not.”
“I am sure Ned will not object to your continuing with me, if I ask him.”
“No, poor fellow! He wont object—at first; but he might not like it. You have no right to inflict me on him. No: I stick to my resolution on that point. Send for the carriage. It is time for us to be off; and Mrs. Toplis will be more impressed if we come in state than if we trudge afoot.”
“Hush,” said Marian, who was standing near the window. “Here is George, with a face full of importance.”
“Uncle Reginald has written to him,” said Elinor.