Was there ever treachery like this! The indignation in Georgiana's mind approached almost to virtue as she thought of her father's falseness. She would not have left town at all but for that promise. She would not have contaminated herself with the Melmottes but for that promise. And now she was told that the promise was to be absolutely broken, when it was no longer possible that she could get back to London,--even to the house of the hated Primeros,--without absolutely running away from her father's residence! "Then, papa," she said, with affected calmness, "you have simply and with premeditation broken your word to us."
"How dare you speak to me in that way, you wicked child!"
"I am not a child, papa, as you know very well. I am my own mistress,--by law."

Was there ever treachery like this! Georgiana's indignation approached almost to virtue as she thought of her father's falseness. She would not have left town at all but for that promise. She would not have contaminated herself with the Melmottes but for that promise. And now the promise was to be absolutely broken!
"Then, papa," she said, with affected calmness, "you have simply and premeditatedly broken your word to us."
"How dare you speak to me in that way, you wicked child!"
"I am not a child, papa, as you know very well. I am my own mistress, by law."
