She paused for a moment, and then she positively refused.'Icannot bring myself to ask Mrs Leslie to dine in this house.If she comes to dine with you, of course I shall sit at the table, but she will be sure to see that she is not welcome.'
'It seems to me that you are determined to go against me in everything I propose.'
'I don't think you would say that if you knew how miserable yo made me.'
'I tell you that that other woman can be very useful to me.'
'In what way useful?'
'Are you jealous, my dear?'
'Certainly not of Lady Eustace,--nor of any woman.But it seems so odd that such a person's services should be required.'
'Will you do as I tell you, and ask them? You can go round and tell your aunt about it.She knows that I mean to ask them.
Lady Eustace is a very rich woman, and is disposed to do a little in commerce.Now do you understand?'
'Not in the least,' said Emily.
'Why shouldn't a woman who has money buy coffee as well as buy shares?'
'Does she buy shares?'
'By George, Emily, I think you are a fool.'
'I dare say I am, Ferdinand.I do not in the least know what it all means.But I do know this, that you ought not, in papa's absence, to ask people to dine here whom he particularly dislikes, and whom he would not wish to have in the house.'
'You think I am to be governed by you in such a matter as that?'
'I don't want to govern you.'
'You think that a wife should dictate to a husband as to the way in which he is to do his work, and the partners he may be allowed to have in his business, and the persons whom he may ask to dinner! Because you have been dictating to me on all these matters.Now, look here, my dear.As to my business, you had better never speak to me about it any more.I have endeavoured to take you into my confidence and to get you to act with me, but you have declined that, and have preferred to stick to your father.As to my partners, whether I may choose to have Sexty Parker or Lady Eustace, I am a better judge thanyou.And as to asking Mrs Leslie and Lady Eustace or any other persons to dinner, as I am obliged to make even the recreation of life subservient to work, I must claim permission to have my own way.'
She had listened, but when he paused she made no reply.'Do you mean to do as I bid and ask these ladies?'
'I cannot do that.I know that it ought not to be done.This is papa's house, and we are living here as his guests.'
'D--your papa!' he said as he burst out of the room.After a quarter of an hour he put his head into the room and saw her sitting, like a statue, exactly where he had left her.'I have written the notes to Lady Eustace and to Mrs Leslie,' he said.
'You can't think it any sin at any rate to ask your aunt.'
'I will see my aunt,' she said.
'And remember I am not going to be your father's guest as you call it.I mean to pay for the dinner myself, and to send in my own wines.Your father shall have nothing to complain of on that head.'
'Could you not ask them to Richmond, or to some hotel?' she said.
'What, in October! If you think I am going to live in a house in which I can't invite a friend to dinner, you are mistaken.' And with that he took his departure.
