'As she thinks good, you mean,' said Edgar. 'Well, I wonder how you all contrive to stand it. I couldn't, I know, even for a quiet life.'
'You've not been broken in, you see,' said Lance, trying to answer with nonchalance.
'No, I only see a specimen occasionally. What has she been doing to you this morning, that has spoilt your appetite, and brought you under her thumb?'
'Don't, Edgar!' burst out Lance, starting up and running away.
'No, Edgar,' said Geraldine; 'it is not kind. It is hard enough for him as it is, and it is all for Felix's sake.'
Luckily, Clement had the wisdom not to speak, and therefore Cherry obtained a more reasonable answer.
'Well, that is a plea, Cherry; but it does rile me to see a fellow like that dragooned over, and thrown away, to bolster up a wretched little business such as this. It's a mistake, depend upon it, to let the demon of present necessity engulf another of the best of us. My squibs are conscientious, I assure you.'
'I don't care for her!' exclaimed Bernard: 'I'll go with you whenever you please, Edgar!'
'Well, Wilmet, under what decent mask do you veil your stony heart?' asked Edgar, as she re-entered.
'Felix sees no reason against their going,' said Wilmet, rather gloomily. 'Only, Edgar, pray don't encourage Angela to get into one of her states. You don't know what they are.'