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The Imaginary Marriage by Henry St. John Cooper
page 95 of 327 (29%)
"Yes, child," she said comfortably, "Colonel Arundel and I had a nice
long talk last night, and you may guess what it was about. He and I were
boy and girl together, there's no better blood in the kingdom than the
Arundel's--what was I saying? Oh yes, we decided that it would be a good
plan to have a two years' engagement, or better still, none for eighteen
months, and then a six months' engagement. During that time Tom can
study modern scientific farming and that sort of thing, you know, and
then when you and he are married, he could take over these estates. I am
heartily sick of Bilson, and I always fancy he is robbing me--what did
you say, child?"

"Nothing, auntie."

"Well, you ought to be a very happy little girl. Run away."

But Marjorie lingered. "Aunt, you haven't heard anything of--of Hugh?"
she asked.

"Hugh--Hugh Alston? Good gracious, no! You don't think I am going to run
after the man? I am disgusted with Hugh. His duplicity and, worse still,
his obstinate, foolish, unreasoning behaviour, have annoyed me more than
anything I ever remember. But there, my dear child, it is nothing to do
with you. I have quite altered my opinion of Hugh Alston. You were right
and I was wrong. Tom Arundel will make you a better husband, and you
will be as happy as the day is long with him."

"I shan't!" Marjorie thought as she turned away. It was wrong, and it
was unreasonable, and she knew it; but for the last four or five days
there had been steadily growing in Marjorie's brain, an Idea.

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