[The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens]@TWC D-Link book
The Mystery of Edwin Drood

CHAPTER IX--BIRDS IN THE BUSH
18/25

But circumstances alter cases; and I made this visit to-day, partly, indeed principally, to discharge myself of the duty of telling you, my dear, that two young people can only be betrothed in marriage (except as a matter of convenience, and therefore mockery and misery) of their own free will, their own attachment, and their own assurance (it may or it may not prove a mistaken one, but we must take our chance of that), that they are suited to each other, and will make each other happy.

Is it to be supposed, for example, that if either of your fathers were living now, and had any mistrust on that subject, his mind would not be changed by the change of circumstances involved in the change of your years?
Untenable, unreasonable, inconclusive, and preposterous!' Mr.Grewgious said all this, as if he were reading it aloud; or, still more, as if he were repeating a lesson.

So expressionless of any approach to spontaneity were his face and manner.
'I have now, my dear,' he added, blurring out 'Will' with his pencil, 'discharged myself of what is doubtless a formal duty in this case, but still a duty in such a case.

Memorandum, "Wishes." My dear, is there any wish of yours that I can further ?' Rosa shook her head, with an almost plaintive air of hesitation in want of help.
'Is there any instruction that I can take from you with reference to your affairs ?' 'I--I should like to settle them with Eddy first, if you please,' said Rosa, plaiting the crease in her dress.
'Surely, surely,' returned Mr.Grewgious.

'You two should be of one mind in all things.


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