“I am engaged, as you may see,” she answered in a low voice of opposition.
“Then the engagement must be deferred. There is a great deal of reading to do. There is the ‘Times’ for a week.”
“I hate the ‘Times,’ and I don’t understand it.”
“So much the more reason why you should learn to do so. In half an hour,” said Sir Peter, consulting his watch, “I shall be ready, or say in quarter of an hour.”
“Absurd! I can not be ready in quarter of an hour. Where is Mr. Arkwright?”
“What is Mr. Arkwright to you, my dear? You may be sure that Mr. Arkwright’s time is not being wasted. If his mamma knew what he was doing she would be quite satisfied—oh, quite. In quarter of an hour.”
He was leaving the room, but paused at the door, with a suspicious look.
“Miss May, it is a pity for you to go away. It will do you good to see your sister, I am sure. Pray spend the day with us. Now, my lady, waste no more time.”
With that he finally departed. Adelaide’s face was white, but she did not address me. She rang for her maid.
“Dress my hair, Toinette, and do it as quickly as possible. Is my dress ready?” was all she said.