Till
that time, sir," she said, addressing Bucklaw, "let me be thus far
beholden to you, that you will beg my mother to forbear me upon this
subject."
"I will make it my particular entreaty to Lady Ashton," said Bucklaw.
"By my honour, madam, I respect your feelings; and, although the
prosecution of this affair be rendered dearer to me than ever, yet, as
I am a gentleman, I would renounce it, were it so urged as to give you a
moment's pain."
"Mr. Hayston, I think, cannot comprehend that," said Lady Ashton,
looking pale with anger, "when the daughter's happiness lies in the
bosom of the mother. Let me ask you, Miss Ashton, in what terms your
last letter was couched?"
"Exactly in the same, madam," answered Lucy, "which you dictated on a
former occasion."
"When eight days have elapsed, then," said her mother, resuming her tone
of tenderness, "we shall hope, my dearest love, that you will end this
suspense."
"Miss Ashton must not be hurried, madam," said Bucklaw, whose bluntness
of feeling did not by any means arise from want of good-nature;
"messengers may be stopped or delayed.
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