Such a nature as hers has too little egotism and low-bred vanity to
undervalue worthy love. The infinite heart of a Zoe Vizard can love but
one with passion, yet ever so many more with warm and tender affection.
She gave Aunt Maitland credit for this provident affection. It was out of
the sprightly Fanny's line; and she said to herself, "Dear old thing!
there, I thought she was bottling up a lecture for me, and all the time
her real anxiety was lest I should be wet through." Thereupon she settled
in her mind to begin loving Aunt Maitland from that hour. She did not
ring for her maid till she was nearly dressed, and, when Rosa came and
exclaimed at the condition of her cast-off robes, she laughed and told
her it was nothing--the Rhine was nice and warm--pretending she had been
in it. She ordered her to dry the dress, and iron it.
"Why, la, miss; you'll never wear it again, to be sure?" said Rosa,
demurely.
"I don't know," said the young lady, archly; "but I mean to take great
care of it," and burst out laughing like a peal of silver bells, because
she was in high spirits, and saw what Rosa would be at.
Give away the gown she had been wooed and wet through in--no, thank you!
Such gowns as these be landmarks, my masters.
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