"
"The week after next Christmas-day?"
"Yes. Papa is to speak to me as soon as we are at home again, and my
married life is to begin with the New Year."
"Are you in earnest, Natalie? Do you really mean to say it has gone as
far as that?"
"They have settled everything. The splendid establishment we are to set
up, the great income we are to have. I heard papa tell Richard that half
his fortune should go to me on my wedding-day. It was sickening to hear
how much they made of Money, and how little they thought of Love. What
am I to do, Launce?"
"That's easily answered, my darling. In the first place, you are to make
up your mind not to marry Richard Turlington--"
"Do talk reasonably. You know I have done all I could. I have told papa
that I can think of Richard as a friend, but not as a husband. He only
laughs at me, and says, 'Wait a little, and you will alter your opinion,
my dear.' You see Richard is everything to him; Richard has always
managed his affairs, and has saved him from losing by bad speculations;
Richard has known me from the time when I was a child; Richard has a
splendid business, and quantities of money.
Pages:
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48