'I would simply say that I am not engaged to anybody, and that I am too much startled by his letter to be able to say more; but he can speak to papa about it.'
'But I will not allow you to have any correspondence with that young man!--a bringer of open reproach upon the truth he professes! All who have dealings with him will be brought to confusion yet, I am certain! Touch not, taste not, handle not!'
'I only want to write him a letter!' responded Sophia, a little pertly; but the effort of self-restraint had lasted a good while, and she was approaching that state in which one must either laugh or cry. 'And what do you know against him?' she added.
'There are rumours in circulation,--and well founded rumours, too, I am sorry to say,--which preclude decent people from having any dealings with him whatever.'
'But what are they about? Considering the subject of his letter, I ought to know--surely!'
'I hope you will never know what they are about. They are too shocking to be spoken about altogether.'
'And do you believe them?'
'I cannot help myself! The evidence is too convincing.'
'Does papa believe them?'
'I don't know that he does--exactly--just yet. He is so prejudiced in favour of that young man. But he will be compelled to believe before long.'