Bath Tangle Read Online Free PDF Page B

this year!’
    ‘This year! No! But am I to be reduced to penury all the days of my life?’ she demanded. ‘What if I should remain a spinster? Has any provision been made for that contingency?’
    ‘No, none. I looked particularly at the Will to be sure of it,’ he replied. ‘A damned, ill-managed business – but I suppose he thought there was no fear the point would arise.’
    ‘He has certainly done his best to thrust me into marriage with the first man who is so obliging as to offer for me!’ she said bitterly.
    ‘You are forgetting something, my love!’
    She looked mistrustfully at him. ‘No! Your consent must be obtained!’
    ‘Just so! But make yourself easy! I shan’t withhold it unreasonably.’
    ‘You would do anything to spite me!’
    ‘Well, if I do, you will have a very good case against me, and will no doubt be able to break the Trust. Meanwhile, let me give you a piece of advice! If you don’t wish to afford the world matter for gossip, assume the appearance at least of complaisance! How you came to make such a ninnyhammer of yourself, for all those fools to gape at, I know not! Rail at me in private if you choose, but in public behave so that the interested may believe you to be very well-satisfied with the arrangement, and see nothing in it but what is natural and comfortable.’
    She was obliged to acknowledge the good sense of this advice. ‘But for the rest – ! How shall I do? Can I support myself on so little, Ivo?’
    ‘You might do so on much less, but from what I know of you you would not. But what is all this talk of supporting yourself? You don’t mean to set up your establishment, do you? That your father never intended!’
    ‘No, I don’t – but if I did you could not prevent me! At least I don’t have to win your odious consent for anything but marriage!’
    ‘You don’t, but if you indulged in any such folly your debts would very soon teach you the unwisdom of flouting my advice,’ he retorted.
    Her bosom swelled, but she said nothing.
    ‘Well, what do you mean to do?’ he asked.
    ‘I shall remain with Lady Spenborough,’ she answered coldly. She discovered that he was frowning, and raised her brows. ‘Pray, have you any objection?’
    ‘No. No, I’ve no objection. You won’t feel yourself straitened, at all events, while you live under her roof, and she has been so handsomely provided for that she may well support you. But – here?’
    ‘At the Dower House. I perceive that that displeases you! You must be ingenious indeed if you can hit upon a plausible reason to account for your disapproval!’
    ‘I am not displeased, I don’t disapprove, and if you show hackle again without cause, you may expect to have your ears boxed as they never have been yet – more’s the pity!’ he said savagely. ‘Live where you choose! It’s all one to me. Have you anything more to say?’
    ‘No, I have not, and I should be very happy to think I need never say another word to you for as long as I live – and of all things in the world there is nothing – nothing – so abominable, and contemptible, and cowardly, and ungentlemanly as persons who walk out of the room when one is addressing them!’
    He had opened the door, but at that he burst out laughing, and shut it again. ‘Very well! But I warn you I shall give as good as I get!’
    ‘You need not tell me that! If you don’t disapprove, why did you scowl so?’
    ‘My habitual expression, possibly. It was unintentional, I assure you. The thought in my mind was merely that it would be better for you to remove from this vicinity. To be situated at the Dower House cannot be anything but painful to you, Serena, believe me!’
    She said impulsively: ‘Oh, I beg your pardon! But how could I guess you meant nothing but kindness?’
    ‘A home-thrust!’ he interjected.
    ‘No, no! I didn’t mean it so! Only, in general – but never mind that! I know it must be painful to remain here, but I think that is the kind of