H. Rider Haggard

“ Russell?”
“I am sure I don’t know what you have heard from Mr. Russell,” answered Barbara faintly.
“Perhaps; but you know very well what there was to hear, you wicked, ungrateful girl!”
“Wicked!” murmured Barbara; “ungrateful!”
“Yes, it is wicked to lead a man on and then reject him as though he were—rubbish. And it is ungrateful to throw away the chances that a kind aunt and Providence put in your way. What have you against him?”
“Nothing at all; I think him very nice.”
Lady Thompson’s brow lightened; if she thought him “very nice” all might yet be well. ”

“ For Lady Thompson could be generous when she was in the mood.
Barbara unfastened the necklace, and offered it to her aunt without a word.
“Nonsense,” said Lady Thompson. “Do you think I want to rob you of your trinkets, because I happen to have given them to you? Keep them; they may be useful one day, when you have a husband and a family and no money. Pearls will pay the butcher and the rent.”
“Thank you for all your kindness, aunt, and good-bye. I am sorry that I am not able to do as you wish about marriage, but after all a woman’s life is her own.” ”

“ She had seen a good deal of society also, for Lady Thompson was at heart proud of her beautiful niece and spared no expense to bring her into contact with such people as she considered she should know. Thus it came about that the fine apartment they occupied at Rome had many visitors.
Among these was a certain Secretary of Legation, the Hon. Charles Erskine Russell, who, it was expected, would in the course of nature succeed to a peerage. He was a very agreeable as well as an accomplished and wealthy man, and—he fell in love with Barbara. ”