"And how did you manage
to become entangled with him, you sly girl, under my very nose? And who
is he? One of those bowing and scraping Italians, I suppose, who think
you'll get my money. Tell me the truth at once."
"He is somebody you have never seen, Aunt. One of the Arnotts down at
home."
"Oh, that Captain! Well, I believe they have a decent property, about
2,000 pounds a year, but all in land, which Sir Samuel never held by.
Of course, it is nothing like the Russell match, which would have made a
peeress of you some day and given you a great position meanwhile. But I
suppose we must be thankful for small mercies."
"It is not Captain Arnott, it is his younger brother Anthony."
"Anthony! Anthony, that youth who is reading for the Bar. Why, the
property is all entailed, and he will scarcely have a half-penny, for
his mother brought no money to the Arnotts. Oh, this is too much! To
throw up Mr. Russell for an Anthony. Are you engaged to him with your
parents' consent, may I ask, and if so, why was the matter concealed
from me, who would certainly have declined to drag an entangled young
woman about the world?"
"I am not engaged, but my father and mother know that we are attached
to each other.
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