"
"She shall have any reasonable time," he replied shortly; "but
that is why I shall speak at once--she can think it over."
"And if you have in a measure made up your mind," continued
her sister, "she will be better pleased, I am sure; she will
wish in some sort to be guided by your wishes."
"That is just what I am anxious to avoid," he answered
impatiently. "I do not desire to influence her in any way; I
would not for the world that she should make any sacrifice on
my account, and then be miserable for ever after."
"My dear Horace, you do not suppose Maria----"
"My dear Georgie, I know what Maria is, and you must allow me
to take my own way."
He began to stride up and down the room with his hands in his
pockets, Madelon watching him in silence. Presently he began
again:--
"I know what Molly is; if she imagined that I wanted to go to
this place, she would say 'Go,' without thinking of herself
for a moment; but ten to one, when we got there, she would be
for ever regretting England, and hating the society, and the
mode of life, and everything, and everybody; and it would be
very natural--she has never been abroad, and knows nothing of
foreign life and manners.
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