I wonder if I should tire you? Surely I think not: yet I have already written much, and I have also my uncle's words to deliver.——Ah! to quit such a theme for my uncle!
I told you, Mr. Valmont silenced me by his frowns. He was some time silent himself. He took the letter from off the table, and appeared to read parts of it at length he said, 'Miss Ashburn has very properly apologized for her behaviour to me the morning she went hence. Doubtless, child, you also were much disappointed, that I did not consent to your going with her and her mother.'
'No, sir.'
'No!' my uncle said, seemingly surprised; 'and why not?'
'Because I did not expect you would suffer me to go.'
'Methinks it was a mighty natural expectation.' My uncle looked angry. He presently added. 'Did you wish to go with them, child?'
'O yes, sir, I did indeed wish!'
'It was natural enough, Sibella, that you should wish for such an indulgence;' and he said this very mildly: 'but I alone am capable of judging of its propriety. Miss Ashburn, I believe, has been little used to disappointment. I pity her. Perhaps a miserable old age is in store for her.'
'Impossible!' I exclaimed; but the exclamation was swift and low; and my uncle, absorbed in contemplating his own designs, did not hear me.
And at last he told me, after many pauses, many slow speeches, that you may write letters to me, and that I shall write letters to you.