“No, he has not! And I’ll tell you this, Sophy! I want to hear no more of Cecilia’s affairs! My mind’s made up. I won’t have her marrying this poet fellow!”
“My dear sir,” said Sophy, warmly clasping his hand, “do not budge from that stand! I must tell you that Charles is about to counsel you to sanction the engagement, and you must not!”
“What?” ejaculated his lordship. “You’re certainly out there, Sophy! Charles won’t hear of it and for once he’s right! What should get into the silly chit to make her reject as good a man as you may find — I was never more incensed! To whistle Charlbury, with all his fortune, down the wind — ”
His niece firmly drew him to the sofa and obliged him to sit down on it beside her. “Dear Uncle Bernard, if you will only do precisely as I bid you she will marry Charlbury!” she assured him. “But you must promise me most faithfully not to permit Charles to overbear your judgment!”
“But, Sophy, I keep telling you — ”
“Charles has told Cecilia that he will no longer withhold his consent.”
“Good God, has he taken leave of his senses, too? You must be mistaken, girl!”
“Upon my honor, I am not! It is the stupidest thing and will very likely wreck everything, unless you can be trusted to remain firm. Now, my dear Uncle, never mind why Charles has taken this start! Only attend to me! When Charles speaks to you about this, you must refuse to entertain the notion of Cecy’s marrying Augustus Fawnhope. In fact, it would be an excellent stratagem if you were to say that you are of the same mind as ever and mean her to marry Charlbury!”
Lord Ombersley, slightly bewildered, entered on a feeble expostulation. “Much good would that do, when Charlbury has withdrawn his offer!”
“It is of no consequence at all. Charlbury is still extremely desirous of marrying Cecilia, and, if you choose, you may tell her so. She will say that she means to marry her tiresome Augustus, because she is in honor bound to do so. You may rave at her as much as you please — as much as you did when she first made her resolve known to you! But the most important thing, dear sir, is that you should remain adamant! I will do the rest.”