"I perceive, my lord, you are about to enter upon an unpleasant
subject. I am sorry any such should have occurred at this time, to
interrupt in the slightest degree the respectful reception due to your
lordship; but so it is. Mr. Edgar Ravenswood, for whom I have addressed
the billet in your lordship's hand, has abused the hospitality of this
family, and Sir William Ashton's softness of temper, in order to seduce
a young person into engagements without her parents' consent, and of
which they never can approve."
Both gentlemen answered at once. "My kinsman is incapable----" said the
Lord Marquis.
"I am confident that my daughter Lucy is still more incapable----" said
the Lord Keeper.
Lady Ashton at once interrupted and replied to them both: "My Lord
Marquis, your kinsman, if Mr. Ravenswood has the honour to be so, has
made the attempt privately to secure the affections of this young and
inexperienced girl. Sir William Ashton, your daughter has been simple
enough to give more encouragement than she ought to have done to so very
improper a suitor.
Pages:
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436