Could this be a young girl?
"Do you know what Mabel, what all of you did? You considered Miss Meredith. What were the consequences? She gave Mabel away with both hands. She wants her brother to marry Miss Dudgeon. He won't marry Miss Dudgeon. He will marry me."
She rose slightly.
"And Miss Meredith won't have the slightest possible say in the matter."
Mr. Leighton looked rather pale. He flicked quietly the ash from his cigar before answering her.
"It's a different way of dealing with people than I am accustomed to. Will you keep your decision open for a little yet?"
"I shall, till summer, when we mean to be married."
There seemed to be no altering the fact that she was to be married.
"I should be so sorry if, while here with me--with all of us, you did not find a man worthy of you."
"I won't change my mind," she said.