Bennet Goldsworthy loafs all over the
house, as if it was his own, and presumes to look at me in a superior
sort of way, as if I was one of his dirty little Sunday-school children
in disgrace. They bring him up into the attic even--our own private
room--mine as much as theirs; they never did it before, and it is only
because he is banded with them against me. Well, I wouldn't marry
Bennet Goldsworthy if there was not another man in the world...

"I have my ring--SUCH diamonds! too valuable, I tell Peter; but he says
nothing can be that--and I know they can't help seeing it, because the
whole room flashes when I turn it this way and that, like blue
lightning playing; but they all pretend not to. Since they find they
cannot break our engagement, the idea is to ignore it as if it was
something so low as to be beneath their notice. Perhaps they fancy that
will wear me out; but it won't.... If they had been nice, and pleaded
with me, and if Peter had not been so VERY dear and good, I might have
caved in; but not now. And indeed, I am sure I never should anyway,
only we might have agreed to differ without quarrelling, which we never
did before. Oh, it is too miserable! Poor Mr and Mrs Breen must hate
the very name of Pennycuick, and they will end by hating me if this
goes on.... Peter has bought the house, and is asking me to hurry our
marriage, to get me out of it. He says a private ceremony would not be
dishonourable under the circumstances. It seems to me a mean sort of
way to go to him, but--what do YOU think?"

"My dear," wrote Alice Urquhart, "I think Peter is right. Next time he
asks you, you say yes. It will be a real kindness to both families, who
would never know what to do with a house wedding. Besides, then you
might have to be given away by B. G. Walk out quietly and unbeknown,
and don't come back. Write from the Blue Mountains or somewhere--'Yours
ever, Rose Breen.' And later on, when things have settled down, their
hearts will melt, and they will come and see you. Let me know what day,
and I will run down (to the dentist) to see fair play and sign the
register.

"Now, you need not have any scruples, child, because the whole of your
husband's family approve of the match (Simpsons delighted, if a little
huffy for the moment to see solid worth looked down upon), and Deb and
the others are certain to come round when they find it is no use doing
anything else. Outsiders don't matter; and I should hate touting for