Ellie's brows creased, what a strange idea love being forbidden.. maybe you really had to be older to understand. The girl dismissed the thought and handed off her tea cup before returning to the book she had been reading.

"'ow ever little known the feelings or views of such a man... may be on his first enter, enter-ring a ne..ig..h.bo..ur..hood - neighbour hood , this truth is so well.. fixed in the minds ..of the surroundin' families, that he is considered as the right full property of some one or other of their daughters."

Her voice was steady as she worked her way through the text, though quiet, as if she didn't want anyone to her reading aloud.