He doesn't care a bit how it would LOOK for you to want her." "Don't you mean rather, Jane, how it looks for us NOT to want her ?" Mrs.Brook amended with a detachment now complete.

"Of course, dear old friend," she continued to Mr.Longdon, "she quite puts me with my back to the wall when she helps you to see--what you otherwise mightn't guess--that Edward and I work it out between us to show off as tender parents and yet to get from you everything you'll give.

I do the sentimental and he the practical; so that we, after one fashion and another, deck ourselves in the glory of our sacrifice without forfeiting the 'keep' of our daughter.

This must appeal to you as another useful illustration of what London manners have come to; unless indeed," Mrs.
Brook prattled on, "it only strikes you still more--and to a degree that blinds you to its other possible bearings--as the last proof that I'm too tortuous for you to know what I'd be at!" Mr.Longdon faced her, across his interval, with his original terror represented now only by such a lingering flush as might have formed a natural tribute to a brilliant scene.

"I haven't the glimmering of an idea of what you'd be at.