"
"Well, but you are a shrewd girl; tell me what you think: now, for
instance, suppose she was compelled to choose between, say Mr. Hardie
and Mr. Talboys, which would it be?"
"Well, mum, if you ask my opinion, I don't think Miss Lucy is the one
to marry a fool; and by all accounts, there's a deal more in Mr.
Hardies's head than what there isn't in Mr. Talboysese's."
"You are a clever girl. You shall have the cloak as well, and, if my
niece marries, you shall remain in her service all the same."
"Thank you kindly, mum. I don't desire no better mistress, married or
single; and Mr. Hardies is much respected in the town, and heaps o'
money; so miss and me we couldn't do no better, neither of us. Your
servant, mum, and thanks you for your bounty"; and Jane courtesied
twice and went off with the spoils.
In the corridor she met old Fountain. "Stop, Jane," said he, "I want
to speak to you."
"At your service, sir."
"In the first place, I want to give you something to buy a new gown";
and he took out a couple of sovereigns. "Where am I to put them? in
your breast-pocket?"
"Put them under the cloak, sir," murmured Jane, tenderly. She loved
sovereigns.
He put his hand under the heap of cashmere, and a quick little claw
hit the coins and closed on them by almighty instinct.
"Now I want to ask your opinion. Is my niece in love with anyone?"
"Well, Mr. Fountains, if she is she don't show it."
"But doesn't she like one man better than another?"
"You may take your oath of that, if we could but get to her mind.
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