Elizabeth, however, attacked
him. 'Why, Rupert, one would suppose you had never heard where a
woman's mind is to be found! These are most futile excuses.'
'I will only attempt one other,' said the truant--'the utter
worthlessness of young ladies' letters, which is such as not to
encourage their friends to make any very strict researches into
them.'
'Worse and worse!' said Elizabeth; 'you have certainly behaved most
cavalierly, that must be confessed! We are only considering what
punishment you deserve.'
'I deserve the punishment I have had, Lizzie,' said Rupert; 'I have
missed the Consecration, and three days of this fair company!'
'Besides that, you will be held up ever after as a warning to Horace
and Edward,' said Elizabeth.
'I saw that first-mentioned pupil of yours on Sunday,' said Rupert.
'Oh! how pleased Mamma will be!' cried Elizabeth; 'then you went to
Sandleford?'
'Yes; finding myself too late for the coach on Saturday afternoon, by
which I had intended to go to Ely,' said Rupert, 'I made up my mind
to spend Sunday at Sandleford, and take a cursory view of the young
gentleman, and of my old haunts.
Pages:
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215