You are old enough to know
better than to write such a note as this.'
He was all one blush, made an inarticulate exclamation, and burst
out, 'That abominable treacherous old wooden doll of a mademoiselle.'
'No, Miss Belmarche knows nothing of it. No one ever shall if you
will promise to drive this nonsense out of your head.'
'Nonsense! Mrs. Kendal!' with a gesture of misery.
'Gilbert, you are making yourself absurd.'
He turned about, and would have marched out of the room, but she
pursued him. 'You must listen to me. It is not fit that you should
carry on this silly importunity. It is exceedingly distressing to
her, and might lead to very unpleasant and hurtful remarks.' Seeing
him look sullen, she took breath, and considered. 'She came to me in
great trouble, and begged me to restore your letter, and tell you
never to repeat the liberty.'
He struck his hand on his brow, crying vehemently, 'Cruel girl! She
little knows me--you little know me, if you think I am to be silenced
thus. I tell you I will never cease! I am not bound by your pride,
which has sneered down and crushed the loveliest--'
'Not mine,' said Albinia, disconcerted at his unexpected violence.
'Yes!' he exclaimed. 'I know you could patronize! but a step beyond,
and it is all the same with you as with the rest--you despise the
jewel without the setting.'
'No,' said Albinia, 'so far from depreciating her, I want to convince
you that it is an insult to pursue her in this ridiculous underhand
way.
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