"I tell you, you have given him a right to them, by your behaviour these months past. Ever since we were at Brighton. Why how you encouraged him there!"
A great flush rose to Eleanor's cheeks.
"Mamma,—no more than I encouraged others. Grace given to all is favour to none."
"Ay, but there was the particular favour in his case of a promise to marry him."
"Broken off, mamma."
"The world did not know that, and you did not tell them. You rode, you walked, you talked, you went hither and thither with Mr. Carlisle, and suffered him to attend you."
"Not alone, mamma; rarely alone."
"Often alone, child; often of evenings. You are alone with a gentleman in the street, if there is a crowd before and behind you."
"Mamma, all those things that I did, and that I was sorry to do, I could hardly get out of or get rid of; they were Mr. Carlisle's doing and yours."
"Granted; and you made them yours by acceptance. Now Eleanor, you are a good girl; be a sensible girl. You have promised yourself to Mr. Carlisle in the eye of all the world; now be honest, and don't be shy, and fulfil your engagements."