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to Geoffrey. "I only know that Joanna is not what she seems." |
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"Good God, Ela, of what do you accuse the girl? I thought you liked her." |
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"Like her? I love her dearly, and I do not accuse her of anything. Oh, William, I am not impugning her virtuehow silly, and how unimportant. You knew Simon, William. Joanna is his daughter, and her mother has done nothing to tame her." |
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"Tame her! Why, I never came across a more obedient, meeker child. I could have wished for a little more spirit in her." |
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Ela shook her head gently, her eyes remaining fixed upon Geoffrey. "My love," she urged, "if you are determined on this course, think long and hard before you cross Joanna." |
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"Joanna is notI mean, I have no choice, my lady. If Ian needs me, I must do whatever is in my power to help him." |
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"Mary have mercy!" Ela cried, sitting bolt upright and pressing a hand to her breast. "Bite your tongue! Never say that again nor allow the thought into your mind!" |
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Then, as she saw the jut of Geoffrey's jaw, Ela wished she had bitten her own tongue. She did not often set a foot amiss in dealing with people, but her guilt concerning her stepson made her overanxious for his happiness, and that occasionally made her clumsy. |
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"Geoffrey," she went on, more calmly, "you cannot desire to hurt Joanna, to make her cheap in her own eyes. How must a girl feel if she is told her husband accepted her only out of a sense of obligation to her stepfather?" |
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"There is no danger of Joanna thinking she is undesirable. Unless she is stone-blind, she must see all the men leer at her and follow her as if they were dogs and she a bitch in heat." |
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"Joanna thinks no such thing!" Salisbury bellowed. "She is a good, modest girl, as I have told you." |
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"William! My heart beats so! Do not shout at Geoffrey. |
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