abruptly and ungraciously terminated, for example--all this
was vexatious, distressing: a mode of management which out of
the simplest incidents of domestic life contrived to extract
some degree of perplexity and annoyance.

"Do not you think, George," said Lady Marney, "that we had
better talk it over a little?"

"Not at all," said Lord Marney: "Charles will go, and it quite
suits me, and therefore what necessity for any consultation?"

"Oh! if you and Charles like to go, certainly." said Lady
Marney in a hesitating tone; "only I shall be very sorry to
lose your society."

"How do you mean lose our society Arabella? Of course you
must go with us. I particularly want you to go. You are Lady
Joan's most intimate friend; I believe there is no one she
likes so much."

"I cannot go the day after to-morrow," said Lady Marney,
speaking in a whisper, and looking volumes of deprecation.

"I cannot help it," said Lord Marney; "you should have told me
this before. I wrote to Mowbray to-day, that we should be
with him the day after to-morrow, and stay a week."

"But you never mentioned it to me," said Lady Marney, slightly
blushing and speaking in a tone of gentle reproach.