I don't care a rap for my neighbor if he doesn't amuse me,
and you live in a puddle of good works. But, upon my word, I wouldn't be
you when it comes to the sheep and the goats business! Here is a young
girl, sweet and good and beautifully brought up--money and manners and
everything handsome about her--she is in love with Oliver, and he with
her--and just because you happen to find out that she is the daughter of
a poor creature who made a tragic mess of her life, and suffered for it
infinitely more than you and I are ever likely to suffer for our
intolerably respectable peccadilloes--you will break her heart and
his--if he's the good-luck to have one!--and there you sit, looking like
a suffering angel, and expecting all your old friends, I suppose, to
pity and admire you. Well, I won't, Lucy!--I won't! That's flat. There's
my hand. Good-bye!"
Lady Lucy took it patiently, though from no other person in the world
save Elizabeth Niton would she have so taken it.
"I thought, Elizabeth, you would have tried to understand me."
Elizabeth Niton shook her head.
"There's only your Maker could do that, Lucy. And He must be pretty
puzzled to account for you sometimes.
Pages:
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384