How much Lucy heard was uncertain; she leant on a chair with drooping
head and averted face, trembling, and suppressing a sob, apparently
too much frightened to attend. Just when the exordium was over, and
'Therefore I lay my commands on you' might have been expected, it
turned into, 'However, upon Mr. Dusautoy's kind representation, I
have resolved to give the young man a trial, and provided he
convinces me by his conduct that I may safely entrust your happiness
to him, I have told his uncle that I will not withhold my sanction.'
With a shriek of irrepressible feeling, Lucy looked from father to
mother, and clasped her hands, unable to trust her ears.
'Yes, Lucy,' said Albinia, 'your father consents, on condition that
nothing further happens to excite his doubts of Mr. Cavendish
Dusautoy. It rests with yourself now, it is not too late. After all
that has passed, you would incur much deserved censure if you put an
end to the affair; but even that would be better, far better, than
entering into an engagement with a man without sound principle.'
'Your mother is quite right, Lucy,' said Mr. Kendal. 'This is the
only time. Gratified vanity has led you too far, and you have acted
as I hoped no child of mine would ever act, but you have not
forfeited our tenderest care. You are not engaged to this man, and
no word of yours would be broken. If you hesitate to commit yourself
to him, you have only to speak, and we would gladly at once do
everything that could conduce to make you happy.
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