"
"To the interest of YOUR family I conceive you perfectly capable of
attending," returned the indignant lady, "and even to the dignity of
your own family also, as far as it requires any looking after. But as
mine happens to be inextricably involved with it, you will excuse me if
I choose to give my own attention so far as that is concerned."
"What would you have, Lady Ashton?" said the husband. "What is it that
displeases you? Why is it that, on your return after so long an absence,
I am arraigned in this manner?" "Ask your own conscience, Sir William,
what has prompted you to become a renegade to your political party and
opinions, and led you, for what I know, to be on the point of marrying
your only daughter to a beggarly Jacobite bankrupt, the inveterate enemy
of your family to the boot."
"Why, what, in the name of common sense and common civility, would you
have me do, madam?" answered her husband. "Is it possible for me, with
ordinary decency, to turn a young gentleman out of my house, who saved
my daughter's life and my own, but the other morning, as it were?"
"Saved your life! I have heard of that story," said the lady.
Pages:
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430