'
'No, I spoke sincerely. If it had seemed possible I should gladly
have let you know about this from the first. That would have been
natural and right. But you know what prevented me.'
'I do. I will try to hope that even a sense of shame had
something to do with it.'
'That had nothing to do with it,' said Marian, coldly. 'I have
never had reason to feel ashamed.'
'Be it so. I trust you may never have reason to feel repentance.
May I ask when you propose to be married?'
'I don't know when it will take place.'
'As soon, I suppose, as your uncle's executors have discharged a
piece of business which is distinctly germane to the matter?'
'Perhaps.'
'Does your mother know?'
'I have just told her.'
'Very well, then it seems to me that there's nothing more to be
said.'
'Do you refuse to see Mr Milvain?'
'Most decidedly I do. You will have the goodness to inform him
that that is my reply to his letter.'
'I don't think that is the behaviour of a gentleman,' said
Marian, her eyes beginning to gleam with resentment.
'I am obliged to you for your instruction.
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