21/32 She had never thought that either Erminia or Frank was particularly fond of the other; still less had she had any idea of Mr.Buxton's plans for them. Her mother's surprise at her engagement jarred a little upon her too: it had become so natural, even in these last two hours, to feel that she belonged to _him_. But there were more discords to come. Mrs.Browne began again, half in soliloquy: "I should think he would have four thousand a-year. He did not tell you, love, did he, if they had still that bad property in the canal, that his father complained about? |