"
"Lucy, we are not to be tempted to do wrong," said Mrs. Bazalgette,
sternly. "Choose which of these two offers you will accept. Choose
which you please. If you refuse both, you must pack up your things,
and go and live by yourself, or with Mr. Dodd."
"Mr. Dodd? why is his name introduced? Was it necessary to insult me?"
and her eyes flashed.
"Nobody wishes to insult you, Lucy. And I propose, madam, we give her
a day to consider."
"Thank you, uncle."
"With all my heart; only, until she decides, she must excuse me if I
do not treat her with the same affection as I used, and as I hope to
do again. I am deeply wounded, and I am one that cannot feign."
"You need not fear me, aunt; my heart is turned to ice. I shall never
intrude that love on which you set no value. May I retire?"
Mrs. Bazalgette looked to Mr. Fountain, and both bowed acquiescence.
Lucy went out pale, but dry-eyed; despair never looked so lovely, or
carried its head more proudly.
"I don't like it," said Mr. Fountain. "I am afraid we have driven the
poor girl too hard."
"What are you afraid of, pray?"
"She looked to me just like a woman who would go and take an ounce of
laudanum. Poor Lucy! she has been a good niece to me, after all;" and
the water stood in the old bachelor's eyes.
Mrs. Bazalgette tapped him on the shoulder and said archly, but with a
tone that carried conviction, "She will take no poison. She will hate
us for an hour; then she will have a good cry: to-morrow she will come
to our terms; and this day next year she will be very much obliged to
us for doing what all women like, forcing her to her good with a
little harshness.
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