"No gentlemen!"
"Not a soul but papa."
The widow certainly looked a little disappointed for the first instant, but she rallied before any eye less keen than mine could have observed it, and laughed joyously.
"Thank heaven, we sha'n't be bothered with compliments, nor tormented with adoration. Oh! Jessie Lee, Jessie Lee! I am so glad of a little rest from all that sort of thing: a'n't you?"
"I never was persecuted with it like you, fair lady, remember that," replied Jessie, demurely.
"Hypocrite! don't attempt to deceive me; I had eyes at the sea-side."
"And very beautiful ones they were—everybody agreed in that."
"There it is!" cried the widow, lifting her hands in affected horror; "when gentlemen are absent, ladies will flatter each other. Pray, put a stop to this, Miss,——"
"Miss Hyde," I said, rather tired of these trivialities; "but Jessie, in the eagerness of her welcome, forgets that our guest has scarcely time to prepare for dinner."
"Ah! is it so late?" said Mrs. Dennison.