I don't suspect you of
such hypocrisy, and therefore I say come home with me, and you shall
marry nobody; your inclination shall be free as air."
"Aunt," said Lucy, demurely, "why didn't you come yesterday? I always
said those who love me best would find me first, and you let Mr. Dodd
come first. I am so sorry!"
"Then your pretended aversion to marriage was all hypocrisy, was it?"
Lucy informed her that marriage was a contract, and the contracting
parties two, and no more--the bride and bridegroom; and that to sign a
contract without reading it is silly, and meaning not to keep it is
wicked. "So," said she, "I read the contract over in the prayer-book
this morning, for fear of accidents."
My reader may, perhaps, be amused at this admission; but Mrs.
Bazalgette was disgusted, and inquired, "What stuff is the girl
talking now?"
"It is called common sense. Well, I find the contract is one I can
carry out with Mr. Dodd, and with nobody else. I can love him a
little, can honor him a great deal, and obey him entirely. I begin
now. There he is; and if you feel you cannot show him the courtesy of
making him one in our conversation, permit me to retire and relieve
his solitude."
"Mighty fine; and if you don't instantly leave him and come home, you
shall never enter my house again."
"Unless sickness or trouble should visit your house, and then you will
send for me, and I shall come."
Mrs. Bazalgette (to the coachman).-- "Home!"
Lucy made her a polite obeisance, to keep up appearances before the
servants and the farm-people, who were gaping.
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