CHAPTER XVI. THE SUBSTITUTION

nowwhatyou’velostbynotlookingthisway!” “Whathashelost?” “Abowfromme,thatwouldhaveraisedhimtotheseventhheaven!” Imadenoanswer.Isawshewasoutofhumour,andIderivedasecretgratificationfromthefact,notthatshewasvexed,butthatshethoughtshehadreasontobeso.Itmademethinkmyhopeswerenotentirelytheoffspringofmywishesandimagination. “ImeantotakeupMr.WestoninsteadofMr.Hatfield,”saidmycompanion,afterashortpause,resumingsomethingofherusualcheerfulness.“TheballatAshbyParktakesplaceonTuesday,youknowandmammathinksitverylikelythatSirThomaswillproposetomethen:suchthingsareoftendoneintheprivacyoftheball-room,whengentlemenaremosteasilyensnared,andladiesmostenchanting.ButifIamtobemarriedsosoon,Imustmakethebestofthepresenttime:IamdeterminedHatfieldshallnotbetheonlymanwhoshalllayhisheartatmyfeet,andimploremetoaccepttheworthlessgiftinvain.” “IfyoumeanMr.Westontobeoneofyourvictims,”saidI,withaffectedindifference,“youwillhavetomakesuchoverturesyourselfthatyouwillfinditdifficulttodrawbackwhenheasksyoutofulfiltheexpectationsyouhaveraised.” “Idon’tsupposehewillaskmetomarryhim,norshouldIdesireit:thatwouldberathertoomuchpresumption!butIintendhimtofeelmypower.Hehasfeltitalready,indeed:butheshall<