“I had other things to think of. Get up!”
She allowed him to pull her to her feet, but said, “Charles, are you freed from your entanglement?”
“I am,” he replied. “Miss Wraxton has terminated our engagement.”
“And Cecy has terminated hers to Augustus, so now I can — ”
“Sophy, I don’t pretend to know why she should have done so, any more than I understand why you keep a brood of ducklings in the house, but neither of these problems interests me very particularly at this present! I have something more important to say to you!”
“Of course!” said Sophy. “Your horse! Well, indeed, Charles, I am very sorry to have displeased you so much!”
“ No!” said Mr. Rivenhall, grasping her shoulders, and giving her a shake. “You know — Sophy, you know I could not mean — You did not run away from London because of that?”
“But, Charles, naturally I did! I had to have some excuse! You must perceive that I had to!”
“Devil!” said Mr. Rivenhall, and caught her into so crushing an embrace that she protested, and Tina danced round them, barking excitedly. “Quiet!” commanded Mr. Rivenhall. He took Sophy’s throat between his hands, pushing up her chin. “Will you marry me, vile and abominable girl that you are?”
“Yes, but mind, it is only to save my neck from being wrung!” Sophy replied.