"It doesn't force one
to take the dreadful step of running away from home all at once. It
gives one time to consider, and plan, and make up one's mind. I can tell
you this, Launce, if I am to be persuaded into marrying you, the law of
Abduction is the only thing that will induce me to do it. You ought to
thank the law, instead of abusing it."
Launce listened--without conviction.
"It's a pleasant prospect," he said, "to part at the church door, and to
treat my own wife on the footing of a young lady who is engaged to marry
another gentleman."
"Is it any pleasanter for _me_," retorted Natalie, "to have Richard
Turlington courting me, when I am all the time your wife? I shall never
be able to do it. I wish I was dead!"
"Come! come!" interposed Lady Winwood. "It's time to be serious.
Natalie's birthday, Mr. Linzie, is next Christmas-day. She will be
sixteen--"
"At seven in the morning," said Launce; "I got that out of Sir Joseph.
At one minute past seven, Greenwich mean time, we may be off together. I
got _that_ out of the lawyer.
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