Yes, I confess he has deviated from truth. Cruel!
cruel! what can you give me in exchange if you rob me of my esteem for
those I love!"
This innocent distress, with its cause, were too deep for a lady whose
bright little intelligence leaned toward cunning rather than wisdom.
In spite of her niece's trouble, and the brimming eyes that implored
forbearance, she drove the sting, merrily in again and again, till at
last Lucy, who was not defending herself, but an absent friend, turned
a little suddenly on her and said:
"And do you think he says nothing against you?"
"Oh, he is a backbiter, too, is he? I didn't know he had that vice.
Ah! and, pray, what can he find to say against me?"
"Oh, people that hate one another can always find something
ill-natured to say," retorted Lucy, with a world of meaning.
Mrs. Bazalgette turned red, and her little nose went up into the air
at an angle of forty-five. She said, with majestic disdain: "I don't
hate the man--I don't condescend to hate him."
"Then don't condescend to backbite him, dear."
This home-thrust, coming from such a quarter, took away my Lady
Disdain's very breath. She sat transfixed; then, upon reflection, got
up a tear, and had to be petted.
This sweet lady departed, flinging down her firebrand on those
hospitable boards.
Lucy, though she had defended her uncle, was not a little vexed that
he had managed matters so as to get her talked of with Mr. Talboys.
Her natural modesty and reserve prevented her from remonstrating; nor
was there any positive necessity.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163