The question had now arisen especially in reference to their bonnets. "You might as well wear them," said Lady Pomona, "for I am sure you will not be in London again this year." "You don't mean it, mamma," said Sophia. "I do, my dear. He looked like it when he put those papers back into his pocket. I know what his face means so well." "It is not possible," said Sophia. "He promised, and he got us to have those horrid people because he promised." "Well, my dear, if your father says that we can't go back, I suppose we must take his word for it. It is he must decide of course. What he meant I suppose was, that he would take us back if he could." "Mamma!" shouted Georgiana. Was there to be treachery not only on the part of their natural adversary, who, adversary though he was, had bound himself to terms by a treaty, but treachery also in their own camp! "My dear, what can we do?" said Lady Pomona. "Do!" Georgiana was now going to speak out plainly. "Make him understand that we are not going to be sat upon like that. I'll do something, if that's going to be the way of it. If he treats me like that I'll run off with the first man that will take me, let him be who it may." "Don't talk like that, Georgiana, unless you wish to kill me." "I'll break his heart for him. He does not care about us,--not the least,--whether we are happy or miserable; but he cares very much about the family name. I'll tell him that I'm not going to be a slave. I'll marry a London tradesman before I'll stay down here." The younger Miss Longestaffe was lost in passion at the prospect before her. "Oh, Georgey, don't say such horrid things as that," pleaded her sister. "It's all very well for you, Sophy. You've got George Whitstable." "I haven't got George Whitstable." "Yes, you have, and your fish is fried. Dolly does just what he pleases, and spends money as fast as he likes. Of course it makes no difference to you, mamma, where you are." "You are very unjust," said Lady Pomona, wailing, "and you say horrid things." "I ain't unjust at all. It doesn't matter to you. And Sophy is the same as settled. But I'm to be sacrificed! How am I to see anybody down here in this horrid hole? Papa promised and he must keep his word."