"The fact is, sir, that
Mrs. Mountjoy is not my best friend. This nephew of hers, Mountjoy
Scarborough, has always been her favorite."
"But he's a man that always loses his money at cards."
"He's to have all Tretton now, it seems."
"And what does the young lady say?"
"All Tretton won't move her. I'm not a bit afraid. I've got her word,
and that's enough for me. How it is that her mother should think it
possible;--that's what I do not know."
"The three years are quite fixed?"
"I don't quite say that altogether."
"But a young lady who will be true to you will be true to her mother
also." Harry shook his head. He was quite willing to guarantee
Florence's truth as to her promise to him, but he did not think that her
promise to her mother need be put on the same footing. "I shall be very
glad if you can arrange it any other way. Three years is a long time."
"Quite absurd, you know," said Harry, with energy.
"What made her fix on three years?"
"I don't know how they did it between them. Mrs. Mountjoy, perhaps,
thought that it might give time to her nephew. Ten years would be the
same as far as he is concerned. Florence is a girl who, when she says
that she loves a man, means it. For you don't suppose I intend to remain
three years?"
"What do you intend to do?"
"One has to wait a little and see.
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