"
"And you left those two alone!"
"Now, don't be cross, aunt," cried Fanny, and limped up to her. "These
new boots are so tight that I really couldn't bear them any longer. I
believe I shall be lame, as it is."
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself. What will the people say?"
"La! aunt, it is abroad. One does what one likes--out of England."
"Here's a code of morals!" said Vizard, who must have his slap.
"Nonsense," said Miss Maitland: "she will be sure to meet somebody. All
England is on the Rhine at this time of the year; and, whether or no, is
it for you to expose that child to familiarity with a person nobody
knows, nor his family either? You are twenty-five years old; you know the
world; you have as poor an opinion of the man as I have, or you would
have set your own cap at him--you know you would--and you have let out
things to me when you were off your guard. Fanny Dover, you are behaving
wickedly; you are a false friend to that poor girl."
Upon this, lo! the pert Fanny, hitherto so ready with her answers, began
to cry bitterly. The words really pricked her conscience, and to be
scolded is one thing, to be severely and solemnly reproached is another;
and before a man!
The official woman-hater was melted in a moment by the saucy girl's
tears.
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