"Nonsense, my dear! you will soon forget him, and the match must surely be broken off, for I may as well tell you now that almost in your cradle you were betrothed to another—the son of a very dear friend of mine. So now that I have found you, dear, you will belong to that other one."
"Mamma, you are cruel, heartless! I cannot yield to you in this, fondly as I love you."
"You would not surely defy my authority, Geraldine, when I command you to write to Mr. Hawthorne, returning his ring, and breaking the engagement!"
They gazed fixedly at each other, and Geraldine said, imploringly:
"Mamma, I wrote to Harry yesterday, telling him all that had happened to me, and promising to be true to him through everything."
"You were a rash girl to act without consulting me in the matter. But we will not discuss the subject any further at present. Go now, and send the note to Standish, giving him permission to call this evening," Mrs. Fitzgerald answered, with an air of bitter displeasure.
[CHAPTER XXXIII.]
CLIFFORD STANDISH TRIES TO CREATE A GRAND IMPRESSION.
"When you see a vain pretender
Rushing aimlessly along,
Boasting of his wealth and splendor
To the giddy, thoughtless throng,
Pity him, and while you pity
In your mind this adage keep:
Though he may be fast and witty,
Rapid streams are seldom deep."