“I know very well you have some abominable scheme afoot! Tell me at once!”
She threw him a sidelong look, and he had now no doubt f that the mischief was back in her eye. “Well, the truth is, Charlbury, that I have kidnapped you.”
After a stunned moment, he began to laugh. In this she readily joined him, but when he had recovered from the first absurdity of the notion, he said, “I might have known there was devilry afoot when I saw that your faithful Potton was absent! But what is this, Sophy? Why am I kidnapped? To what end?”
“So that I may be so compromised that you will be obliged to marry me, of course,” replied Sophy matter of factly.
This cheerful explanation had the effect of making him start bolt upright, exclaiming, “Sophy!”
She smiled. “Oh, don’t be alarmed! I have sent John Potton with a letter to Sancia, begging her to come to Lacy Manor at once.”
“Good God, do you place any dependence upon her doing so?”
“Oh, yes, certainly! She has a very kind heart, you know, and would never fail me when I particularly desired her help.”
He relaxed against the squabs again, but said, “I don’t know what you deserve! I am still quite in a puzzle. Why have you done it?”
“Why, don’t you see? I have left behind me a letter for Cecilia, telling her that I am about to sacrifice myself — ”