You had much better put away the book, and then you have some chance of being free from them." "Will you read to me then instead?
I assure you I should much prefer it." "_I_ read aloud! I could not do it to please the most agreeable person in the world; and as you are so very obliging to me in refusing so decidedly to go with me to-night, you cannot expect I should oblige you." Lady Helen Grahame's placid countenance gave no evidence of inward disturbance at this undutiful speech; she was too much used to it, to feel the pain it might otherwise have produced, and too indifferent to be either indignant or displeased.
"You are very ungrateful, Annie," she replied, in that same languid tone, but with the very little expression in her voice, no emotion was visible.

"I tell you I will send round to Lady Charlton or the Countess St.Aubyn; either of them, I know, will be very happy to chaperon you.
Surely you can let me be quiet for one evening." "Lady Charlton I cannot bear; she is the most detestable creature I know.

I would rather be buried alive in the country, than join in London society under her care; with her long speeches of prudery and virtue, and the modest reserve of young ladies, and a hundred other such saint-like terms, when all the time she is doing all she can to catch husbands for her three great gawky daughters, who in mamma's presence are all simplicity and simper--sweet girls just introduced; when I am very much mistaken if the youngest is not nearer thirty than twenty.

And as for Lady St.Aubyn, you know very well, mamma, papa declared I should never go out with her again; it is just the same as if I were alone.

She has not a word or thought for any one but herself: she thinks she may act with as much coquetry now as before she married.