'
"'I am not tired, dear.'
"'Well, you don't look well; is anything the matter with you?'
"'I didn't say I wasn't well, and it's very rude to remark on one's
looks that way.'
"'Something seems to have put you out of sorts, ma, I will run and
call pa. Dear me, I feel frightened. Shall I ask Mrs Bawdon for her
salts?'
"'You know very well what's the matter; it's Captain De la Cour.'
"'Well, now, how strange,' said Sarah Matilda. 'I told him he had
better go and walk with you; I wanted him to do it; I told him you
liked attention. Yes, I knew you would be angry, but it isn't my
fault. It ain't, indeed.'
"'Well, I am astonished,' replies the horrified mother. 'I never in
all my life. So you told him I liked attention. I, your mother, your
father's wife, with my position in societee; and pray what answer did
he make to this strange conduct?'
"'He said, No wonder, you were the handsomest woman in town, and so
agreeable; the only one fit to talk to.'
"'And you have the face to admit you listened to such stuff?'
"'I could listen all day to it, ma, for I knew it was true. I never
saw you look so lovely, the new bishop has improved your appearance
amazingly.'
"'Who?' said the mother, with an hysterical scream; 'what do you
mean?'
"'The new bustler, ma.'
"'Oh,' said she, quite relieved, 'oh, do you think so?'
"'But what did you want of me, ma?'
"'To fasten my gown, dear, there is a hook come undone.
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