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Updated: May 26, 2025
On that occasion, I made one more aristocrat tremble. I also closed Miss Batchford's door on me for the rest of my life. No matter! The day is coming when the Batchford branch of humanity will not possess a door to close. All Europe is drifting nearer and nearer to the Pratolungo programme. Cheer up, my brothers without land, and my sisters without money in the Funds!
I shall become used to my new self, I hope and believe, with time and that will accustom me to my new impressions of Oscar and so it may all come right in the end. It is all wrong enough now. He put his arm round me, and gave me a little tender squeeze, while we were following Miss Batchford down to the dining-room this afternoon. Nothing in me answered to it.
Finch and Miss Batchford, which had driven the old lady out of the rectory almost as soon as she set foot in it, had originated in Mr. Finch's exasperating composure when he heard of his daughter's flight. He supposed, of course, that Lucilla had left Ramsgate with Oscar whose signed settlements on his future wife were safe in Mr. Finch's possession.
She thinks him handsome, and says he has the manners of a gentleman. This last is high praise from Miss Batchford. She despises the present generation of young men. "In my time," she said the other day, "I used to see young gentlemen. I only see young animals now; well-fed, well-washed, well-dressed; riding animals, rowing animals, betting animals nothing more."
It was only when Miss Batchford had communicated with Grosse, and when the discovery followed which revealed the penniless Nugent as the man who had eloped with Lucilla, that Mr.
Without the slightest reason for it, he is even more deeply offended with Miss Batchford than he is with me! Sad as this estrangement is, there is one consolation so far as I am concerned, it will not last. My father and I are sure, sooner or later, to come to an understanding together. When I return to the rectory, I shall make my peace with him, and we shall get on again as smoothly as ever.
Miss Batchford obstinately shook her head three times, in answer to those three questions. "I hate secrets and mysteries," she said impatiently. "This is a secret and a mystery and I long to have done with it. That is all. I have said too much already. I shall say no more." All my entreaties were of no avail. My aunt's quick temper had evidently led her into committing an imprudence of some sort.
As for writing to Miss Batchford, I had already tried the old lady's patience in that way, before leaving England. If I tried it again, with no better excuse for a second intrusion than my own anxieties might suggest, the chances were that this uncompromising royalist would throw my letter in the fire, and treat her republican correspondent with contemptuous silence.
He listened with breathless attention while I was trying to induce Miss Batchford to answer my questions. When I gave it up, he pushed away his plate, and ate no more. In the evening, he made so many mistakes in playing cards with my aunt, that she dismissed him from the game in disgrace.
Grosse had gone back to London without making any apology to her; and Oscar had knocked down her books. Miss Batchford discovered for the first time that she had undertaken too much in assuming the sole charge of her niece at Ramsgate. "I decline to accept the entire responsibility," said my aunt. "At my age, the entire responsibility is too much for me. I shall write to your father, Lucilla.
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