“Yet you accept his gift! You are entirely without shame, girl!”
“Oh, lady! the flowers were so beautiful I could not resist them.”
“Beautiful!” shrieked her aunt. “And because flowers are beautiful, is that an excuse for accepting the love of some impudent adventurer?”
“Accepting the love!” repeated Wistaria, faltering.
“Yes, indeed, and you need not pretend ignorance of my words. They are quite clear to you, I have no doubt.”
“But—”
“You are well aware that by accepting the flowers you also accept his despicable love, and practically betroth yourself to this fellow. He shall be flogged for his impertinence.”
“Flogged!” cried Wistaria, becoming very pale.
“Flogged, I repeat,” said her aunt, coldly.
Wistaria shivered with apprehension. She had not until now grasped the real seriousness of her position.