I fear there's a want
of true generosity among you; and if I could be sure of it, I tell you
now, that whatever it might cost me, I'd never--but what am I sayin'?
that's past."
"Past! oh, why do you spake that way, Dora dear?"
"It's no matter what I may suffer myself," she replied; "no matter at
all about that; but wanst and for all, I tell you that let what may
happen, I'm not the girl to go into a family that have treated my dear
brother as yours has done. Your sister's conduct has been very harsh and
cruel to the man she was to be married to."
"My sister, Dora, never did anything but what was right."
"Well, then, let her go and marry the Pope, with reverence be it spoken,
for I don't know any other husband that's fit for her. I'd like to see
the girl that never did anything wrong; it's a sight I never saw yet, I
know."
"Dora, dear," replied her lover, "I don't blame you for being angry. I
know that such a load of disgrace upon any family is enough to put one
past their temper. I don't care about that, however," he proceeded; "if
he had betrayed his church and his country ten times over, an' got five
hundred pounds instead of fifty, it wouldn't prevent me from makin' you
my wife."
Her eyes almost emitted fire at this unconsciously offensive language
of Cavanagh. She calmed herself, however, and assumed a manner that was
cool and cuttingly ironical.
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