"
"Oh, it is Sylvia's birthday! and I am going to the Zoological
Gardens with them."
"And pray how came you to make this engagement without consulting
me?"
"It was all settled at Bournemouth. I thought you knew! Did not
Mrs. Wardour ask your leave for me?"
"Mrs. Wardour said something about hoping to see you in London, but I
made no decided answer. I should not have allowed the intimacy there
if I had expected that the family would be living in London; and
there is no reason that it should continue. Constant intercourse
would not be at all desirable."
"But may I not go on Monday?" said Kate, her eyes opening wide with
consternation.
"No, certainly not. You have not deserved that I should trust you; I
do not know whom you might meet there: and I cannot have you going
about with any chance person."
"O Aunt Barbara! Aunt Barbara! I have promised!"
"Your promise can be of no effect without my consent."
"But they will expect me. They will be so disappointed!"
"I cannot help that. They ought to have applied to me for my
consent."
"Perhaps," said Kate hopefully, "Mrs. Wardour will write to-day. If
she does, will you let me go?"
"No, Katharine. While you are under my charge, I am accountable for
you, and I will not send you into society I know nothing about. Let
me hear no more of this, but write a note excusing yourself, and we
will let the coachman take it to the post.
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