Juliet, although not very fond of her
mother, was a devoted daughter from a sense of duty, and it
would be difficult to bring her to consent to a match against
which the elder woman so obstinately set her face.
Certainly Juliet had said she would marry with or without her
mother's consent, but now that the consent was withheld with
violent words, she seemed inclined to wait. However, if she
did not marry Mallow, he knew well that she would marry no one
else, least of all the objectionable Arkwright, Cuthbert
derived some degree of comfort from this small fact. He
wondered if there was any chance of forcing Mrs. Octagon into
giving her consent, but after surveying the situation could
see no opportunity.
After dinner that night, Cuthbert was thinking of going to see
his uncle, who still stopped at the Avon Hotel when Hale was
announced. Mallow was surprised. The lawyer was not a friend
of his, and he had no liking for his company. However, he
felt a certain curiosity as to the reason of this unexpected
visit and welcomed the man with civility. But he did not ask
him to have any coffee though it was on the table. Cuthbert
held to the traditions of the East regarding bread and salt,
and he wished to leave himself free to deal with Hale as an
enemy, should occasion arise, as it might. Hale was far too
intimate with Maraquito to please the young man. And
Maraquito's attentions were far too pressing to make Cuthbert
feel comfortable in her presence.
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