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Confessions of a Well-Meaning Woman over the money, though he must needs be facetious and tell Will that he would pay twice the sum to keep him out of England. Such humour is a little primitive. . . I acquit Brackenbury, too, of any illiberality, though Spenworth must needs call this a “thank-offering”. . . for some reason. ..

The marriage, of course, takes place immediately, as they sail the moment Sir Appleton can arrange about their passages. I am sure that it will be a success, though I prefer not to think about it; dearly as I love little Molly, she is robbing me of my boy. As soon as they leave England, I shall go right away for a time. What with one thing and another, the last year has been very exhausting, and Arthur and I have to prepare for a new life and a very different life. The old and the new are bridged by one’s friends. . . Their love follows us into what must inevitably be retirement from the stage on which we have played our little part for our few years. . . We are abandoning any little niche that we may have occupied. ..

You I hope to see constantly. At the ceremony, of course, and afterwards here. . . The princess is coming. Whoever appeals to her graciousness and devotion will never appeal in vain. ..

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