XXII

ncalmlyandquietlyand,thoughIcountedthehoursofSirJames’sstay,mymindwasentirelysatisfiedwiththepostureofaffairs.Guess,then,whatImustfeelatthesuddendisturbanceofallmyschemesandthat,too,fromaquarterwhereIhadleastreasontoexpectit.Reginaldcamethismorningintomydressing-roomwithaveryunusualsolemnityofcountenance,andaftersomeprefaceinformedmeinsomanywordsthathewishedtoreasonwithmeontheimproprietyandunkindnessofallowingSirJamesMartintoaddressmydaughtercontrarytoherinclinations.Iwasallamazement.WhenIfoundthathewasnottobelaughedoutofhisdesign,Icalmlybeggedanexplanation,anddesiredtoknowbywhathewasimpelled,andbywhomcommissioned,toreprimandme.Hethentoldme,mixinginhisspeechafewinsolentcomplimentsandill-timedexpressionsoftenderness,towhichIlistenedwithperfectindifference,thatmydaughterhadacquaintedhimwithsomecircumstancesconcerningherself,SirJames,andmewhichhadgivenhimgreatuneasiness.Inshort,Ifoundthatshehadinthefirstplaceactuallywrittentohimtorequesthisinterference,andthat,o