I proposed that we should release each other, because reflection
had convinced me that I should best consult his welfare and mine by
retracting a rash promise, and leaving him free to make his choice
elsewhere."
"What has my son done?" persisted Mr. Ablewhite. "I have a right to know
that. What has my son done?"
She persisted just as obstinately on her side.
"You have had the only explanation which I think it necessary to give to
you, or to him," she answered.
"In plain English, it's your sovereign will and pleasure, Miss Verinder,
to jilt my son?"
Rachel was silent for a moment. Sitting close behind her, I heard
her sigh. Mr. Bruff took her hand, and gave it a little squeeze. She
recovered herself, and answered Mr. Ablewhite as boldly as ever.
"I have exposed myself to worse misconstruction than that," she said.
"And I have borne it patiently. The time has gone by, when you could
mortify me by calling me a jilt."
She spoke with a bitterness of tone which satisfied me that the scandal
of the Moonstone had been in some way recalled to her mind. "I have no
more to say," she added, wearily, not addressing the words to anyone
in particular, and looking away from us all, out of the window that was
nearest to her.
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