In an ordinary way, if Mr Grey had asked me to give up for any reason my trip altogether, I should have given it up certainly, as I would give up any other indifferent project at the request of so dear a friend,--a friend with whom I am so--so--so closely connected.

But if he asked me not to travel with my cousin George, I should refuse him absolutely, without a word of parley on the subject, simply because of the nature and closeness of my connection with him.

I suppose you understand what I mean, aunt ?" "I suppose I do.

You mean that you would refuse to obey him on the very subject on which he has a right to claim your obedience." "He has no right to claim my obedience on any subject," said Alice; and as she spoke Aunt Macleod jumped up with a little start at the vehemence of the words, and of the tone in which they were expressed.
She had heard that tone before, and might have been used to it; but, nevertheless, the little jump was involuntary.

"At present he has no right to my obedience on any subject, but least of all on that," said Alice.