Arthur sprang himself upon her a little before Christmas.

He was full of a great project.

It was that she and her father should spend Christmas with his people at Birmingham.

Her father thought he would like to see his brother; they had not often met of late, and Birmingham would be nearer for her than Liverpool.
Joan had no intention of being lured into the Birmingham parlour.

She thought she could see in it a scheme for her gradual entanglement.
Besides, she was highly displeased.