I will not stay to be insulted here; I will return to my own house--my own poor humble cottage, where at least I can live independent and at peace--yes, Dr.Grey, I will, however you may try to prevent me." "I do not prevent you.

On the contrary, I consider it would be an excellent plan, and you have my full consent to execute it whenever you choose." This quiet taking of her at her word--this brief, determined, and masculine manner of settling what she had no intention of doing unless driven to it through a series of feminine arguments, contentions, and storms, was quite too much for Miss Gascoigne.
"Go back to Avonside Cottage! Shut myself up in that poor miserable hole--" "Oh, Henrietta!" expostulated Aunt Maria, "when it is so nicely furnished--with the pretty little green-house that dear Arnold built for us too!" "Don't tell me of green-houses! I say it is only a hole.

And I to settle down in it--to exile myself from Avonsbridge society, that Mrs.Grey may rule here, and boast that she has driven me out of the field--me, the last living relative of your dear lost wife, to say nothing of poor Maria, your excellent sister to whom you owe so much--" "Oh, Henrietta!" pleaded Miss Grey once more.

"Never mind her, dear, dear Arnold." Dr.Grey looked terribly hurt, but he and Aunt Maria exchanged one glance and one long hand-clasp.

Whatever debt there was between the brother and sister, love had long since canceled it all.
"Pacify her, Maria--you know you can.