of the room. But still she could not make up her mind what letter she
would write to Mr Brehgert, and she slept upon it another night.

On the next day after breakfast she did write her letter, though when
she sat down to her task she had not clearly made up her mind what she
would say. But she did get it written, and here it is.

Caversham, Monday.

MY DEAR MR BREHGERT,

As you told me not to hurry, I have taken a little time to think
about your letter. Of course it would be very disagreeable to
quarrel with papa and mamma and everybody. And if I do do so,
I'm sure somebody ought to be very grateful. But papa has been
very unfair in what he has said. As to not asking him, it could
have been of no good, for of course he would be against it. He
thinks a great deal of the Longestaffe family, and so, I
suppose, ought I. But the world does change so quick that one
doesn't think of anything now as one used to do. Anyway, I don't
feel that I'm bound to do what papa tells me just because he
says it. Though I'm not quite so old as you seem to think, I'm
old enough to judge for myself,--and I mean to do so. You say
very little about affection, but I suppose I am to take all that
for granted.

I don't wonder at papa being annoyed about the loss of the
money. It must be a very great sum when it will prevent your
having a house in London,--as you agreed. It does make a great
difference, because, of course, as you have no regular place in
the country, one could only see one's friends in London. Fulham
is all very well now and then, but I don't think I should like
to live at Fulham all the year through. You talk of three years,
which would be dreadful. If as you say it will not have any
lasting effect, could you not manage to have a house in town? If
you can do it in three years, I should think you could do it
now. I should like to have an answer to this question. I do
think so much about being the season in town!

As for the other parts of your letter, I knew very well
beforehand that papa would be unhappy about it. But I don't know
why I'm to let that stand in my way when so very little is done
to make me happy. Of course you will write to me again, and I
hope you will say something satisfactory about the house in
London.

Yours always sincerely,

GEORGIANA LONGESTAFFE.

It probably never occurred to George