: The Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 1 (of 3) by Marryat Florence - Fiction

@FreeBooksThu 08 Jun, 2023

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des prevented my accepting Lady Makewell's invitation to the Castle, on account of some absurd rumours he had heard of her former life. But, if Mr Hindes thinks he is to be the judge of all my actions and the ruler of my destinies, he is very much mistaken, and so I will let him know before he is many days older. I won't have any man interfering with me in this way, and turning my own parents against me.'

'Don't be a fool!' exclaimed Mr Crampton, roughly. 'Hindes is the best friend you have--that any of us have--and it would be a bad day for the firm and the family, that saw our interests divided. I mentioned him as an authority for the sort of life Mr Frederick Walcheren lives, but, far from setting me against you, he has stood up for your good sense and filial obedience all through the discussion of this unfortunate affair. It is I alone--your father--who has come to the conclusion to cut Mr Walcheren's acquaintance, and now I demand your obedience to my commands. Once and for all, your implicit obedience. Do you promise it me?'

'I have no alternative!' said Jenny.

'All the same, I must have your promise given here, before your mother and your aunt.'

'Very well, then, I promise!' replied the girl after a pause.

'That is all I require,' said the old man; 'and now, I suppose, I can go about my business. But remember! if I ever catch you trying to outwit me by any d--d subterfuges, I will take you away from Hampstead, and you shall never see it again whilst that man is in it.'

He turned then, as if to leave the room, but, perceiving that both his wife and her sister were in tears, he thought he might have spoken too harshly to this child whom he so dearly loved, and came back again for a moment.

'Kiss me, Jenny,' he said; 'I'm not angry with you, my girl, though I may have seemed so, but it's your happiness I have at heart and not my own. There! there!' with a sounding kiss on her cheek, 'you won't fret about the matter, will you? and we'll ride over together to Winchers' to-morrow and secure the little mare you've set your heart on. God bless you, my dear!' and, with another kiss, he left them to themselves.

Jenny stood for a minute silent and motionless, then walked quickly towards the door, as if to return to her own room.

'Jenny, my darling,' pleaded her mother, 'you see the force of your dear father's argument, don't you?'

She went towards the girl as she spoke, and would have wound her arms about her, but Jenny pushed her impatiently aside.

'Don't bother me, mamma,' she said, 'you know how I hate a fuss. All this worry is mostly your fault, you might have prevented it if you had chosen.'

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