Have you any engagement for the Christmas
holidays?"
He paused, and fixed his eyes attentively on Sir Joseph. Sir Joseph,
looking a little surprised, replied briefly that he had no engagement.
"In that case," resumed Turlington, "I invite you all to Somersetshire,
and I propose that the marriage shall take place from my house, and not
from yours. Do you refuse?"
"It is contrary to the usual course of proceeding in such cases,
Richard," Sir Joseph began.
"Do you refuse?" reiterated Turlington. "I tell you plainly, I shall
place a construction of my own upon your motive if you do."
"No, Richard," said Sir Joseph, quietly, "I accept."
Turlington drew back a step in silence. Sir Joseph had turned the tables
on him, and had taken _him_ by surprise.
"It will upset several plans, and be strongly objected to by the
ladies," proceeded the old gentleman. "But if nothing less will satisfy
you, I say, Yes! I shall have occasion, when we meet to-morrow at
Muswell Hill, to appeal to your indulgence under circumstances which may
greatly astonish you.
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