He spoke to Adelaide, and she answered him; but there was
no word of encouragement--not a tone of comfort in her voice. He
found himself driven to attempt conversation with the strange lady,
and at last was made to play whist with Lady Chiltern and the
two new-corners. Later on in the evening, when Adelaide had gone
to her own chamber, he was invited by Lady Chiltern into her own
sitting-room upstairs, and there the whole thing was explained to
him. Miss Palliser had declared that the match should be broken off.
"Do you mean altogether, Lady Chiltern?"
"Certainly I do. Such a resolve cannot be a half-and-half
arrangement."
"But why?"
"I think you must know why, Mr. Maule."
"I don't in the least. I won't have it broken off. I have as much
right to have a voice in the matter as she has, and I don't in the
least believe it's her doing."
"Mr. Maule!"
"I do not care; I must speak out. Why does she not tell me so
herself?"
"She did tell you so."
"No, she didn't. She said something, but not that.
Pages:
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699