Page:The Wanderer (1814 Volume 3).pdf/379

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

( 371 )

"Since you have thought proper, Mr. Ireton, to lock the door, for your own pleasure, you will, at least, I imagine, think proper to open it for that of Mrs. Ireton."

"Deuce take me if I do!" cried he, in a low voice: "manage the matter as you will! I have naturally no taste for a prude; so I always leave her to work her way out of a scrape as well as she can. But I'll see you again when they are all off." Then, throwing the key upon her lap, he softly and laughingly escaped out of the window.

Provoked and vexed, yet helpless, and without any means of redress, Juliet opened the door.

"Goodness! Miss Ellis," cried the Abigail, peeping curiously around, "how droll for you to shut yourself in! My lady sent me to ask whether you have seen any thing of Mr. Ireton in the garden, or about; for she has been ready to go ever so long, and he said he was setting off first on horseback; but his groom is