The time for my belief in such rhodomontade was now happily past, and I coolly replied, "that in no other but the best and most convenient room in the house could I allow my mother to sleep; therefore she must go."
"Why so, Mrs. Seymour? I can sleep any where. There is a press bed in the little room; and I care not where I sleep, so I am but permitted to stay."
Here she attempted to throw her arms fondly round me, while she repeated, "Do, there's a sweet woman, do let me stay!"
"Impossible!" I replied, disengaging myself with a look of aversion from her embrace. On which she started up and exclaimed,
"I am sure some one has been telling you stories of me, and you are set against me!"
"There is no one in this house, Miss Jermyn, who would presume to say any thing to me against any guest of mine."
"And pray, does Mr. Pendarves know I am to be sent away at a moment's warning?"
"He does not yet know that you are going away at two day's notice, to make room for my mother, and that I may enjoy her society, after a long absence, uninterrupted."
"Oh! if that be all, I will promise never to interrupt your tête-à-têtes."
"They will not be tête-à-têtes: my husband will be of our party."